The world's most-read Scottish politics website

Wings Over Scotland


Weekend papers roundup

Posted on November 14, 2011 by

Lots of stuff going on in the papers on Saturday and Sunday which we didn't have time to feature individually. The Daily Record covers Lord Forsyth's latest bright idea, namely that SNP MSPs should be forced to pay for the referendum should it be judged unlawful, a bizarre notion given that if the referendum were to be so judged it's hard to see how it could go ahead at all.

Conversely, the New Statesman runs a balanced and realistic piece on "Who owns the Scottish independence referendum?", identifying some of the possible legal implications but also coming to a practical conclusion about what will actually happen. Meanwhile – in fact from earlier last week but having hitherto escaped our attention – Aidan O'Neill QC pens a rather less balanced and less realistic view for The Guardian on the same subject, which ends up insisting that not only would any referendum have to be run by Westminster but that it would have to be conducted across the UK. The article is strikingly detached from the real world, but is notable for some excellent and highly-informed reader comments. (After the first one.)

The Scottish Left Review has a somewhat daunting but detailed account of the conduct of Labour-led Glasgow City Council, in the light of Newsnet Scotland's revelation that the head of the City Building ALEO (arm's-length external organisation), set up by the disgraced former council leader Steven Purcell and the subject of allegations of cronyism and patronage, is set to receive a £615,000 payoff funded by the taxpayer after just five years' service to the company.

Scotland On Sunday features the story that Labour flak-magnet Tom Harris (of whom more shortly) is trying to push a so-called "Clarity Act" through Westminster in order to grant the UK Parliament de facto control over the referendum, based on Harris' erroneous claim that "The Scottish Government has a mandate but it is for a specific question on independence."

The same paper also details Michael Portillo's advocation of full fiscal autonomy for Scotland, the first time (so far as we're aware) that a significant Tory figure has called for a version of "devo max" as their preferred option for Scotland's constitutional future. These are interesting times.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

1 Comment
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rusty Shackleford

Do you see any parallels between Scotland and Quebec? When I was younger I recall there being a referendum there. What's interesting is that when the secessionists there lost there wasn't another referendum a few years later, it sort of killed off Quebecois nationalism.
I bring this up for a few reasons; firstly the narrative from the Scottish nationalists is that support for Scottish independence will grow and grow, where as Quebec shows that support for secession can ebb or remain static.
Secondly I think that much of the dispute about whether Westminster or Holyrood 'owns' the referendum stems from that precedent: presumably the unionist parties hope that if they can call a referendum right now then they can similarly kill Scottish nationalism, or at least delay Scottish independence for 20 years or so.


  • About

    Wings Over Scotland is a (mainly) Scottish political media digest and monitor, which also offers its own commentary. (More)

    Stats: 6,672 Posts, 1,203,126 Comments

  • Recent Posts

  • Archives

  • Categories

  • Tags

  • Recent Comments

    • Michael Laing on The Unbargain Bin: “But what choice is there? I believe people saw Labour as the least-worst of the available options. They’re dire, but…Nov 25, 01:44
    • Campbell Clansman on The Unbargain Bin: “Of course Scotland did NOT have “direct democracy” pre-1707. Just another moonhowler fantasy.Nov 25, 00:54
    • Peter McAvoy on The Unbargain Bin: “On the discussion of Scottish politicians autobiographies I would like to read Patrick Harvies that towering intellect and oratory tell…Nov 25, 00:44
    • sarah on The Unbargain Bin: “1.7 million on the petition to call a General Election now because Labour aren’t honouring their promises. That is almost…Nov 24, 22:47
    • sarah on The Unbargain Bin: “Indeed. If only we had direct democracy as Scotland did pre-1707 and as Switzerland now has. That petition is now…Nov 24, 22:12
    • Robert Hughes on The Unbargain Bin: “or Francis Bacon . I can imagine a ” Screaming ” Swinney .Nov 24, 21:50
    • Tinto Chiel on The Unbargain Bin: “It’s not just here, it’s also in the sump which is the House of Commons. In fact, the whole political…Nov 24, 21:19
    • Southernbystander on The Unbargain Bin: “This all seems a bit confused as the ‘official’ line is he left because of the sale of the Observer…Nov 24, 21:05
    • sarah on The Unbargain Bin: “Apparently it is well known to insiders – presumably that includes the press – that Holyrood is a sink of…Nov 24, 20:40
    • sarah on The Unbargain Bin: “1,509, no 1,510, 853. Amazing. How embarrassing for Starmer if it reaches millions and the press/tv report it…Nov 24, 20:31
    • James Gardner on The Unbargain Bin: “Actors telling Jackanory stories, more the fool the folk ….Nov 24, 20:25
    • Tinto Chiel on The Unbargain Bin: “Yes, sarah, I reckon any Hieronymus Bosch painting could depict Holyrood quite accurately 🙂 .Nov 24, 20:15
    • sarah on The Unbargain Bin: “Signed, Mia – thanks for the nudge. Now at 1,457,846.Nov 24, 20:00
    • sarah on The Unbargain Bin: ““Politics is showbiz for ugly people”, someone said. It seems to be true – they are acting a part, not…Nov 24, 19:53
    • sarah on The Unbargain Bin: “Slater’s “Message in a bottle” – brilliant!Nov 24, 19:49
    • Alf Baird on The Unbargain Bin: “Cartoon well reflects that, according to Frantz Fanon, ‘politicians are not intellectuals’; hence anything they write needs to be considered…Nov 24, 19:43
    • Nae Need! on The Unbargain Bin: “‘The Flattery of Seafood Plattery: Scotland’s No1 Thing’ by The Wannabe.Nov 24, 19:31
    • Robert Hughes on The Unbargain Bin: “Aye , T , it’s obvious that the general public’s opinion of Politicians has never been lower – and for…Nov 24, 19:23
    • Pipinghot on The Unbargain Bin: “Party on. It’s what they deserve.Nov 24, 19:15
    • James Gardner on The Unbargain Bin: “Stephen Flynn….well, I used to be conceited, but now I’m absolutely perfect.Nov 24, 19:12
    • Mia on The Unbargain Bin: ““t’s only monarchists who retain the right to a say over Scotland’s Stone Of Destiny” Since when, and by whose…Nov 24, 19:04
    • Tinto Chiel on The Unbargain Bin: “Eminently sensible, Dan, but as twathater and Robert H. have said, the SNP seems to wish to fracture the independence…Nov 24, 18:52
    • Nae Need! on The Unbargain Bin: “You’re actually awrite when you get let off the leash.Nov 24, 18:45
    • robertkknight on The Unbargain Bin: ““Beginners Guide to Hot Air Ballooning’ by I BlackfordNov 24, 18:37
    • robertkknight on The Unbargain Bin: ““The Road to Perdition” by L LloydNov 24, 18:35
    • robertkknight on The Unbargain Bin: ““The Art of Infiltration” by M FooteNov 24, 18:34
    • robertkknight on The Unbargain Bin: ““Secrets and Lies” by A S C RobertsonNov 24, 18:32
    • robertkknight on The Unbargain Bin: ““Downfall” by P T MurrellNov 24, 18:31
    • robertkknight on The Unbargain Bin: ““Hiding in Plain Sight” by J R SwinneyNov 24, 18:30
    • sarah on The Unbargain Bin: “Good idea, Dan. I hope the Rev is working very hard on all and every route to improving our chances…Nov 24, 18:29
  • A tall tale



↑ Top
212
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x