Holyrood could devolve more powers now
Advocate General says Scottish 바카라 사이트 could devolve more powers to local communities now - no need to wait for independence referendum
The Advocate General for Scotland Lord Wallace QC has accused the Scottish 바카라 사이트 of holding a 바카라 사이트榞un to the head바카라 사이트� of local government by refusing to give them more powers unless Scotland votes for independence.
Lord Wallace said there was nothing to stop Holyrood handing over more powers to Scotland바카라 사이트檚 local communities right now other than their 바카라 사이트榗entralising agenda바카라 사이트� which means keeping powers in Edinburgh.
The Advocate General highlighted the contrast with the UK 바카라 사이트 who are now devolving more economic powers than ever before to Holyrood. The Minister also said the UK 바카라 사이트 was working directly with Scotland바카라 사이트檚 cities and islands to find ways in which powers can be used more locally to help their economies.
Speaking at the Cosla conference in St Andrews today, Lord Wallace said:
The whole of the UK needs more business and employment opportunities to grow our single, integrated economy.
The UK 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트檚 firm belief is that transferring powers from government to cities will make it easier for cities to achieve that economic growth.
We are committed to delivering an ambitious City Deal for Glasgow and the wider Clyde Valley area.
It is about empowering local areas to take charge of and responsibility for decisions that affect their area; to do what they think is best to help businesses grow and create economic growth; and to have the power to decide how public money should be spent.
We are as committed to working with our local government partners in islands and rural communities as we are our colleagues in Scotland바카라 사이트檚 cities.
And of course devolution has meant responsibility for decisions about the functions of local government now rest with the Scottish Parliament and Scottish 바카라 사이트.
That of course means that it does not require independence to effect further change.
I hope our engagement with the Islands 바카라 사이트� and our commitment to exploring city deals across the United Kingdom 바카라 사이트� demonstrates our willingness to consider ideas.
I would not propose to make commitments here today to so called 바카라 사이트淚slands Acts바카라 사이트�. Nor would I ever wish to make such a thing contingent on a particular vote in the referendum.
The issues 바카라 사이트� grid connections, greater community benefit from oil and gas revenues, international recognition and representation, an economic 바카라 사이트渋slands deal바카라 사이트�, reform of the UK-wide Crown Estate, are too serious for 바카라 사이트済un-to-head바카라 사이트� negotiating tactics.
What I will say is that I understand the case for change. And what I would like to see 바카라 사이트� and what the Islands Councils are already doing 바카라 사이트� are proposals for change that are properly evidenced. That they are fully impact assessed so people understand the risks and costs as well as the benefits.
The UK 바카라 사이트 stands ready to work in partnership with all Councils where they are making such a case for change.
Scotland바카라 사이트檚 devolution settlement has always been flexible. Since 1999, there has been devolution of power to the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Ministers on issues as diverse as railways, renewable energy and the power to hold this year바카라 사이트檚 legal, fair and decisive referendum on Scottish independence.
The devolution of further tax powers through the Scotland Act 2012 demonstrates that continuing flexibility.
I have already touched upon the fact that this flexibility must not relate only to the transfer of power from London to Edinburgh.
The Scottish 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트檚 White Paper says, 바카라 사이트淥n independence, the structure of local government in Scotland will remain the same바카라 사이트�.
It is true that it also goes on to say that 바카라 사이트渋ndependence will give us the power to embed the role of local authorities in a written constitution and consider the most appropriate responsibilities for local government and communities바카라 사이트�.
But of course there is nothing to stop the Scottish 바카라 사이트 doing this now. It is that 바카라 사이트済un-to-head바카라 사이트� negotiating tactic again. Deliberately implying that only independence allows anything to happen, which simply is not true.
It reflects a lack of vision and imagination, but possibly not surprising given the 바카라 사이트渃entralising agenda바카라 사이트� which has been a hallmark of much of the Scottish 바카라 사이트바카라 사이트檚 time in office.
It is inevitable the political focus will be on the referendum for the next six months. And I readily understand the desire to use the debate to focus on what is best for local government.
Indeed, that is what individuals and organisations across all walks of life in Scotland are doing.
None of us, however, should be doing this just to be opportunistic. There would have been a case for reform and renewal in local government in Scotland if there had been no referendum on our future within the United Kingdom.
And the UK 바카라 사이트 is committed to an open dialogue with COSLA, individual local authorities and groups of local authorities to reach a consensus. Not on if there should be change but what that change should be.