I ONCE heard devolution described as constitutional vandalism.
As I follow the horse trading going on over the detail of the additional powers to be offered to Scotland by the Westminster Government and the contortions of the Holyrood Government representatives over the health of the animal I cannot avoid the conclusion that devolution is indeed a crazy act of wanton vandalism.
Since the Scottish Parliament was reconvened the problems created by asymmetrical devolution of powers within the UK have been mostly problems for the Unionist parties to deal with. And although it was a Labour government that was the architect it has been Labour who have found the greatest difficulties in coping with the realignment of powers. Their problems are not over yet. Next year's Scottish elections could see Labour left wrecked beyond salvage.
However, the facts are that it was the SNP who lost the referendum. Unionism prevailed. Devolution continues. The SNP are in power at Holyrood with an overall majority (and 56 MPs). Nobody would bet against them winning an overall majority again next year to govern Scotland until 2021. Therefore it is the SNP who have to make sure further devolution works or at the very least make it look as if it's working. This I believe will be a near-impossible minefield to negotiate.
The prioritising of the spending of a block grant as is the present devolved responsibility of the Scottish Government can just about be logically defended, but splitting tax-raising powers is going beyond logic. It is irrational. It will now be the SNP who will come under scrutiny for trying and then gradually seen as failing to operate the absurd system that is devolution.
And there is another problem with devolution. There will always be friction between the two parliaments as long as there are two parliaments. An amicable division of responsibilities is not feasible. The friction will be defined as ongoing grievances between Scotland and England, between Scots and English. There are many present examples in the media. It will only get worse.
Is there a solution to the mess we find ourselves in? I have come to the conclusion that there will have to be another referendum on Scottish independence. This time the question has to address from where we are governed, Holyrood or Westminster? One has to go. If it is Yes to independence, we get on with the job of running our own affairs along with our European neighbours. If it is a second No, so be it, scrap Project Devolution and in so doing the Scottish Parliament.
Richard MacKinnon
0/1 131 Shuna Street, Ruchill, Glasgow.
IT is disappointing that the Agenda contribution from Health Secretary Shona Robison("I'm looking forward to leading conversation on our health service", The Herald, June 8) had so little to tell us that she had to repeat herself several times in order to fill her allotted space.
It is especially disappointing when, in the context of health service funding, she refers to cuts in overall spending by the UK Government. She knows very well that the amount spent on the Health Service in Scotland is determined solely by the Scottish Government in accordance with its priorities, and that it also has tax-raising powers , never used since the devolved parliament was established
Andrew A Reid,
75, Glencairn Drive, Glasgow.
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