If we can say one thing for certain about the Scottish referendum, then it is that the devolution of oil revenue to the Scottish Parliament was comprehensively rejected by the oil-producing areas. Those areas already do rather a good job of keeping hold of a great deal of that revenue.
Provided that they could show that they were spending it on public goods and on those in their communities with the greatest need, then by all means let them have more of it. After a third of my life on Lanchester Parish Council, I know how much poverty there can be in the midst of affluence.
Strictly on those conditions. But by all means let the Scottish Parliament and the SNP be bypassed. (As John Swinney made clear on Question Time, the SNP is preparing to vote in favour of Gulf War III a few hours from now.)
The more that they whined about that, the even more Unionist that the areas in question would become.
The more that they whined about that, the even more Unionist that the areas in question would become.
Still can't believe almost 40% of the Labour vote went to the independence campaign. In Scotland.
ReplyDeletePeter Hitchens is right-the old parties are utterly despised everywhere.