Prime Minister Must Devise A Way To Handle Snp Clashes (from The Herald Election Site)

Gordon Brown will have to devise new ways of handling disputes with Holyrood if the new administration is to be controlled by the Scottish National Party, according to constitutional experts.

Academics have recommended the likely next Prime Minister starts to build formal ways for ministers from the devolved administrations to work with Downing Street and other Whitehall departments.

The Joint Ministerial Committees (JMCs) that were supposed to form a forum for ministers to share ideas and resolve disputes have hardly ever met. The concordats drawn up in 1999, to provide ground rules for handling disputes, have never been tested. And no issue has yet been taken to the legal arbiter, the Law Lords sitting as the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

But having different parties in charge in Edinburgh and London, and with the Northern Irish Assembly working again from this week, and following an attack on the Chancellor yesterday for his distribution of new funds to the province, there is growing pressure to change the framework handling disputes between them.

SNP leader Alex Salmond has said he will stake a claim in his first 100 days in office to a share of oil revenue, transfer of some welfare funding and powers to pass gun law.

There are also likely clashes over council tax benefit if the SNP presses ahead with its plans to replace council tax with local income tax.

The Constitution Unit at University College London has proposed regular summits between the UK Prime Minister and heads of devolved administrations.

By meeting regularly, it is argued this could help avert problems and build a stable relationship.

Akash Paun, the academic leading the unit's devolution research programme, said there should also be ways for MPs to meet MSPs, and members of the Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly, so they can work their way through policy issues that affect the whole of the UK.

He argued that the means of resolving differences or problems affecting London, Edinburgh and Cardiff over the past eight years is by trying to resolve them at the lowest possible level of the civil service, or through informal ministerial or Labour Party channels.

"Assuming Alex Salmond comes in, the motivations of at least one party changes quite significantly," he said.

Nationalist ministers in St Andrew's House could choose to highlight points of dispute, he said, though it is not always clear they would gain by doing so.

He cited potential clashes over European fisheries negotiations, at which a Nationalist minister could be present, council tax abolition and the question of what happens to £381m per year of council tax benefit, clashes over nuclear power plants or deployment of nuclear weapons.

"The British government has to take a more strategic approach and accept things are going to get more politicised, and should not just wait for trouble to arise but think strategically."

Another contribution to the debate about managing relations between Whitehall and Holyrood comes today from Katie Schmuecker, a research fellow at the Tyneside office of the left-leaning Institute of Public Policy Research.

Writing in The Herald, she suggests a Whitehall shake-up should lead to a Department for the Nations, Local Government and Communities with a full-time cabinet-level minister equipped to deal with co-ordination and conflict.

"The remit would not simply be about managing conflict, it would also be charged with looking at what policies are working effectively in different parts of the UK, and what the home nations can learn from each other," she says.

"The opportunity for such policy learning is one of the great benefits of devolution."

I've long thought that with Labour in power at Westminster and Holyrood, the potential for embarassment hamstrung the parliament and prevented it's natural evolution. It's clear that this has been the case, if you recall that Labour wanted no further powers for the Scottish Parliament. The majority of the electorate seem to support more powers and I hope that, with the SNP governing, we will at last see the parliament come into its own. So far as the Liberal Democrats go, it seems odd to me that they would choose to evolve in opposition, rather than in government. I think they may regret their decision to stay out of a coalition. Isn't it the case that their current problem - their non-negotiable demand that there should be no democratic referendum - stems from their relationship with the party at Westminster? I don't think a period in opposition will be fruitful for the Lib Dems; in fact, I think they are in the process of comitting political suicide.

I've long thought that with Labour in power at Westminster and Holyrood, the potential for embarassment hamstrung the parliament and prevented it's natural evolution. It's clear that this has been the case, if you recall that Labour wanted no further powers for the Scottish Parliament. The majority of the electorate seem to support more powers and I hope that, with the SNP governing, we will at last see the parliament come into its own.

So far as the Liberal Democrats go, it seems odd to me that they would choose to evolve in opposition, rather than in government. I think they may regret their decision to stay out of a coalition. Isn't it the case that their current problem - their non-negotiable demand that there should be no democratic referendum - stems from their relationship with the party at Westminster? I don't think a period in opposition will be fruitful for the Lib Dems; in fact, I think they are in the process of comitting political suicide.

The things they'll do to stop the English having their own Parliament and to keep the Scots in control of England. Every step they take to prevent the loss of power, will be another nail in their coffins. Brown is done for, no matter what tricks he pulls to continue Labour dominance. The power sharing deal they did with the Lib Dems to get a Scottish Parliament has backfired on them. Never in their wildest dreams did they consider that the Scots would fall out of love with Labour. There's a bright future ahead for Scotland yet. And an even brighter one for England, once we get rid of the Raj in Westminster. Three cheers for Alex

The things they'll do to stop the English having their own Parliament and to keep the Scots in control of England.

Every step they take to prevent the loss of power, will be another nail in their coffins.

Brown is done for, no matter what tricks he pulls to continue Labour dominance. The power sharing deal they did with the Lib Dems to get a Scottish Parliament has backfired on them. Never in their wildest dreams did they consider that the Scots would fall out of love with Labour.

There's a bright future ahead for Scotland yet. And an even brighter one for England, once we get rid of the Raj in Westminster.

Three cheers for Alex

The concept of the British Govt thinking strategically is an interesting one. As far as I can tell they have difficulty thinking much beyond the end of the week.

'
Aye, about right; Dick. posted 12:05am.

Yon wee highlighted box brought tears of laughter to me ,so it did.
I never knew Dougie was a comedian as weel.
.

Dispute Resolution between Holyrood & Westminster ... I can imagine something like the Chariot race from Ben Hur with Gordon & Alex ... or is that too cinematic ?

I think Westminster under Brown will take powers away from the Scottish parliament. Wonder if he'll make Westminster the only parliament to allow referenda? Hope so.

Add total SNP Vote 633398 less Lab total 527947 Diff 105.401
Have heard Lab quote 50.000 How come?

i have reviewed historically the lib-dem position on the referendum. In sum, they are for/in favour of referendums all around the world, with the sole exception of Scotland. Their precedent speaks volumes. its clear that the libdems have made a deal with gordon for more power in london at the expense of scottish voters and scotland. To refuse to join a coalition on the specious grounds that they are opposed to a referendum makes no sense, They refuse to let the Scottish people vote in four years time? What are they afraid of?Democracy? Actually having to work for a change for Scotland instead of following Ming and David?

[bold]http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ScottishVoteScandal2007/[/bold] Please sign this e-petition on the [bold][italic]Scottish Vote Scandal[/italic][/bold] , and help network it to others. Coalition talks are important,. but the right to vote fundamental

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ScottishVoteScandal2007/

Please sign this e-petition on the Scottish Vote Scandal , and help network it to others. Coalition talks are important,. but the right to vote fundamental

For Foulkes sake! Why not appoint Lord Foulkes as Numpty ambassador to Scotland? He can make the case for being selected to the House of Lords, for nothing, and help avoid confrontation by lying down for Westmonster and paying all whisky taxes to London for a modest retainer from Johnnie Walkers. Or Perhaps Jimmy Hood will show how to earn his modest retainer from Thames Sewage dumping in Scotland. There are many more wonderful North British examples of loyalty and devotion to avoiding confrontation to the Holy City of London. If we run out of North British Labour Numpies we can always rely on the Lib-Dum hand maidens.

For Foulkes sake!

Why not appoint Lord Foulkes as Numpty ambassador to Scotland? He can make the case for being selected to the House of Lords, for nothing, and help avoid confrontation by lying down for Westmonster and paying all whisky taxes to London for a modest retainer from Johnnie Walkers. Or Perhaps Jimmy Hood will show how to earn his modest retainer from Thames Sewage dumping in Scotland.

There are many more wonderful North British examples of loyalty and devotion to avoiding confrontation to the Holy City of London. If we run out of North British Labour Numpies we can always rely on the Lib-Dum hand maidens.

lets handle westminster with FOIA (Freedom of INformation Act requests) www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&doc=113&file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf so that we can cite their own stats back to them. Alex will run rings around them as he did as an MP at Westminster.lets use UTUBE (thank you alan smart for much enjoyment during the election)and OLO (online operatives) as they do in the states to communicate with voters so they know the truth about how labour has destroyed scotland.

lets handle westminster with FOIA (Freedom of INformation Act requests) www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&doc=113&file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf
so that we can cite their own stats back to them. Alex will run rings around them as he did as an MP at Westminster.lets use UTUBE (thank you alan smart for much enjoyment during the election)and OLO (online operatives) as they do in the states to communicate with voters so they know the truth about how labour has destroyed scotland.

For Foulkes sake! Why not appoint Lord Foulkes as Minister of Confrontation Avoidance? He could avoid paying fees to become a Lord and show how to take fees from Johnnie Walker, while they pay most of their revenue to his beloved Westminster paymaster. Or, we could appoint Jimmy Hood, Thames Sewage Ambassador. He is an expert retainer for avoiding confrontation against dumping London excrement in Lanarkshire. If we run out of Labour numpties for the job we can aye rely on their Lib-Dum hand maidens to represent London in Scotland.

For Foulkes sake!

Why not appoint Lord Foulkes as Minister of Confrontation Avoidance? He could avoid paying fees to become a Lord and show how to take fees from Johnnie Walker, while they pay most of their revenue to his beloved Westminster paymaster.

Or, we could appoint Jimmy Hood, Thames Sewage Ambassador. He is an expert retainer for avoiding confrontation against dumping London excrement in Lanarkshire.

If we run out of Labour numpties for the job we can aye rely on their Lib-Dum hand maidens to represent London in Scotland.

[quote][bold]For a Democracy[/bold] wrote: lets handle westminster with FOIA (Freedom of INformation Act requests) www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&amp;doc=113&amp;file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf so that we can cite their own stats back to them. Alex will run rings around them as he did as an MP at Westminster.lets use UTUBE (thank you alan smart for much enjoyment during the election)and OLO (online operatives) as they do in the states to communicate with voters so they know the truth about how labour has destroyed scotland. [/quote] It is the first time I have read that report and Ihave to say it is pretty depressing, I have lived through those time, to see how we have been manipulated. It suggests that (in the 1974) urgent support is needed in West central Scotland for example but in 2002 the Labour party admitted to have run a 30 year policy to run down Glasgow and it's surroundings, so instead of building it up the chose to keep them down, and I thought New Labour was a recent phenomenon. Disgraceful.

For a Democracy wrote:
lets handle westminster with FOIA (Freedom of INformation Act requests) www.scotlandoffice.gov.uk/freedom-of-information/document.php?release=36&amp;doc=113&amp;file=mccrone%20economics%20of%20nationalism.pdf so that we can cite their own stats back to them. Alex will run rings around them as he did as an MP at Westminster.lets use UTUBE (thank you alan smart for much enjoyment during the election)and OLO (online operatives) as they do in the states to communicate with voters so they know the truth about how labour has destroyed scotland.

It is the first time I have read that report and Ihave to say it is pretty depressing, I have lived through those time, to see how we have been manipulated. It suggests that (in the 1974) urgent support is needed in West central Scotland for example but in 2002 the Labour party admitted to have run a 30 year policy to run down Glasgow and it's surroundings, so instead of building it up the chose to keep them down, and I thought New Labour was a recent phenomenon.

Disgraceful.

Gavin McCrone report* quote* It suggests that (in the 1974) urgent support is needed in West central Scotland for example but in 2002 the Labour party admitted to have run a 30 year policy to run down Glasgow and it's surroundings, so instead of building it up the chose to keep them down, Maybe we should run this headline in all the Glasgow Tablets front pages and see how long it takes for the people to understand that handouts is not away of life but more away to being destroyed.everyone should check the Scottish Office freedom of Information site regular to find out what the so called politicos were up to when we all thought they were in it for our benefit

Gavin McCrone report* quote* It suggests that (in the 1974) urgent support is needed in West central Scotland for example but in 2002 the Labour party admitted to have run a 30 year policy to run down Glasgow and it's surroundings, so instead of building it up the chose to keep them down,
Maybe we should run this headline in all the Glasgow Tablets front pages and see how long it takes for the people to understand that handouts is not away of life but more away to being
destroyed.everyone should check the Scottish Office freedom of Information site regular to find out what the so called politicos were up to when we all thought they were in it for our benefit

Scottish Independence is now a foregone conclusion simply because of the way information is being disseminated to the 'people' on a daily basis via this fabuous medium, the internet. Never before in our history have the people of Scotland had such access to the very facts which have been condeming them to unfulfilled lives for generations. These same facts are condeming the formally invincible Labour party and the Westminster Government's hold over Scotland. Thank God for the Freedom of Information Act, the internet and guys like Alex Smart, For a Democracy and others who know how to use them. Knowledge is indeed power and soon the people of Scotland will hve enough knowledge and therefore enough power to break the chains of Westminster for once and for all.

Scottish Independence is now a foregone conclusion simply because of the way information is being disseminated to the 'people' on a daily basis via this fabuous medium, the internet.

Never before in our history have the people of Scotland had such access to the very facts which have been condeming them to unfulfilled lives for generations. These same facts are condeming the formally invincible Labour party and the Westminster Government's hold over Scotland.

Thank God for the Freedom of Information Act, the internet and guys like Alex Smart, For a Democracy and others who know how to use them.

Knowledge is indeed power and soon the people of Scotland will hve enough knowledge and therefore enough power to break the chains of Westminster for once and for all.

I would have thought that the Lib Dems would not be frightened of a referendum on Scottish Independence, after all, are they not the very ones who always argue for fairer democracy and proportional representation? Surely they have nothing to fear from supporting something that I thought would be instinctive to them, a democratic means by which to find out the will of the majority. Perhaps they don't trust the ability of the Scottish people to make such a weighty decision or are they frightened of Westminster? If the Lib Dems are so convinced that independence is a wrong option then let them support a referendum, have the referendum and when the time comes argue their case against independence. What are they frightened of? Democracy?

[quote][bold]donald anderson[/bold] wrote: For Foulkes sake! Why not appoint Lord Foulkes as Minister of Confrontation Avoidance? He could avoid paying fees to become a Lord and show how to take fees from Johnnie Walker, while they pay most of their revenue to his beloved Westminster paymaster. Or, we could appoint Jimmy Hood, Thames Sewage Ambassador. He is an expert retainer for avoiding confrontation against dumping London excrement in Lanarkshire. If we run out of Labour numpties for the job we can aye rely on their Lib-Dum hand maidens to represent London in Scotland.[/quote] iang; from ntb??

donald anderson wrote:
For Foulkes sake! Why not appoint Lord Foulkes as Minister of Confrontation Avoidance? He could avoid paying fees to become a Lord and show how to take fees from Johnnie Walker, while they pay most of their revenue to his beloved Westminster paymaster. Or, we could appoint Jimmy Hood, Thames Sewage Ambassador. He is an expert retainer for avoiding confrontation against dumping London excrement in Lanarkshire. If we run out of Labour numpties for the job we can aye rely on their Lib-Dum hand maidens to represent London in Scotland.

iang; from ntb??

Call an early election and let DC take over. He may be a Tory but at least he is capable of Gentlemanly conduct.

[quote][bold]Ian[/bold] wrote: Gavin McCrone report* quote* It suggests that (in the 1974) urgent support is needed in West central Scotland for example but in 2002 the Labour party admitted to have run a 30 year policy to run down Glasgow and it's surroundings, so instead of building it up the chose to keep them down, Maybe we should run this headline in all the Glasgow Tablets front pages and see how long it takes for the people to understand that handouts is not away of life but more away to being destroyed.everyone should check the Scottish Office freedom of Information site regular to find out what the so called politicos were up to when we all thought they were in it for our benefit[/quote] And still the Glasgow massochists beg for more! Go on Labour whip us again! And again don't stop!

Ian wrote:
Gavin McCrone report* quote* It suggests that (in the 1974) urgent support is needed in West central Scotland for example but in 2002 the Labour party admitted to have run a 30 year policy to run down Glasgow and it's surroundings, so instead of building it up the chose to keep them down, Maybe we should run this headline in all the Glasgow Tablets front pages and see how long it takes for the people to understand that handouts is not away of life but more away to being destroyed.everyone should check the Scottish Office freedom of Information site regular to find out what the so called politicos were up to when we all thought they were in it for our benefit

And still the Glasgow massochists beg for more!

Go on Labour whip us again! And again don't stop!

It is just a thought, although I have been known to have added perception (seventh child of a seventh child and all that jazz ) Methinks Nicol Stephens has been promised the leadership of the Liberal Dermocrats when Ming steps down (in the next year). Would account for his stance at the moment don't you think?

[quote][bold]Iain[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Ian[/bold] wrote: Gavin McCrone report* quote* It suggests that (in the 1974) urgent support is needed in West central Scotland for example but in 2002 the Labour party admitted to have run a 30 year policy to run down Glasgow and it\'s surroundings, so instead of building it up the chose to keep them down, Maybe we should run this headline in all the Glasgow Tablets front pages and see how long it takes for the people to understand that handouts is not away of life but more away to being destroyed.everyone should check the Scottish Office freedom of Information site regular to find out what the so called politicos were up to when we all thought they were in it for our benefit[/quote] And still the Glasgow massochists beg for more! Go on Labour whip us again! And again don\'t stop![/quote] Unfortunately those recieving benfits and state pensions will always be grateful to those who the percieve to be responsable for the handouts, it is easy to ignore that they are also responsable for the unemployment. Glasgow and West Central Scotland is being kept in a deprived state as it hardens those in the lower income brackets to socialism and that means in this country Labour.

Iain wrote:

Ian wrote: Gavin McCrone report* quote* It suggests that (in the 1974) urgent support is needed in West central Scotland for example but in 2002 the Labour party admitted to have run a 30 year policy to run down Glasgow and it\'s surroundings, so instead of building it up the chose to keep them down, Maybe we should run this headline in all the Glasgow Tablets front pages and see how long it takes for the people to understand that handouts is not away of life but more away to being destroyed.everyone should check the Scottish Office freedom of Information site regular to find out what the so called politicos were up to when we all thought they were in it for our benefit
And still the Glasgow massochists beg for more! Go on Labour whip us again! And again don\'t stop!

Unfortunately those recieving benfits and state pensions will always be grateful to those who the percieve to be responsable for the handouts, it is easy to ignore that they are also responsable for the unemployment.

Glasgow and West Central Scotland is being kept in a deprived state as it hardens those in the lower income brackets to socialism and that means in this country Labour.

Devise a way to handle SNP clashes? Independence does it in one.

I have no doubt that Nichol Stephen sees himself as a young Tony Blair, yes that's right, utterly delusional, especially when leader of an also ran, bringing up the rear, last placed party, in Scotland AND in England. So if he has done a deal with Brown and Ming, time will tell, at which point the Scottish electorate will know exactly how to deal with such a pathetic leader of such a pathetic party.

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