Devolution? Pointless
So say the Scots:
- 9% disapproive of the way devolution has worked
- 46% say it has made absolutely no difference
- 41% appriove of how devolution has worked.
So 55% of Scottish people either think that devolution has been bad or pointless. Hardly a record to be proud of.
Devolution has not worked properly, and Labour, the Lib Dems and the SNP who have all been a part of a Scottish executive are all to blame.
Devolution can work, but it needs to be managed well, and be dedicated to more than just the personal glorification of the politicians or political parties involved. It needs to be focused on making real differences that matter to people, not abstract ideals that they do not want (for example, “independence”).
And devolution should be equal across the UK – so that Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England all have parliaments with the same powers. Without that equality, devolution can never really work in the greater scheme of things.
I would happily support devolution, if each nation desires it, but it needs to be either total, ie pay your own way, or not at all. Half-arsed measures such as we currently have in place merely mean an economic inequality in the taxes that we pay and regional parliaments that are essentially trial-runs for the rest of us.
I have lived here for over twenty years and I have yet to see a single tangible benefit from devolution. To my mind its all or nothing. Full independence or scrap Holyrood. Their lawmaking is woeful. There is no check, no balance as there is no upper chamber to correct their stupidity. Wee Eck is both my MP and our struggling First Minister. I can’t help feeling that none of them know what they are doing. Mind you, it was exactly the same when wee Joke McConnell was at the helm.
This survey holds no surprises.
God help us.
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