Letter: Devolution: a recipe for corruption
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Devolution: a recipe for
corruption a recipe for
corruption
Sir: I am an Englishman living in Scotland and Tam Dalyell is my Member of Parliament, and he is a very good one at that.
I am completely in agreement with him on the stance he has taken against the devolution of power to Scotland as proposed by the new government. At the weekend a senior Labour figure (name not quoted) was reported to have referred to Tam's intervention as "old Tam's rantings", but I think he seems to be the only MP who realises the dangers to the United Kingdom's union.
I really wish people in England would wake up to the dangers and lobby their MPs. The dangers are:-
1. That the Scottish Parliament and British one will constantly disagree, thus playing into the hands of the SNP.
2. If the Scottish parliament does not fulfil the wishes of the Scots they will blame the English and turn to the SNP.
3. English people in Scotland and Scots people in England will begin to feel alienated.
4. If, as the SNP hopes, the Scottish parliament becomes a stepping stone to independence, England will not have as much influence in Europe or the rest of the world as it does at present.
The only way devolved government can possibly work is if all of the UK has assemblies for regions like the German Lander. Then the West Lothian question would not apply.
ALAN GILFORD
Linlithgow, West Lothian
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments