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My initial column ‘How
the UK government has been mishandling Scotland’s finances’
gave some historical examples of how the UK government mishandles
Scotland’s finances. My second column, ‘More
mishandling of Scotland’s finances by the UK government’
gave a current example of how the UK government redistributed European
Union money intended for certain Scottish farmers to farmers across the
UK.
My third column ‘Newsnet
Scotland – A mixed message in the Scottish news
discussed the anti-independence bias of BBC Scotland and the leading
Scottish newspapers. I also mentioned that a pro-independence internet
‘press’ is growing in Scotland with the current leader by far being
http://newsnetscotland.com/.
This column addresses a 4 December Newsnet article:
http://newsnetscotland.com/index.php/scottish-politics/8428-fury-after-unelected-peers-strip-power-from-scotland.
Here is the issue: Mike Weir, a Scottish MP (Member of the UK
parliament) reacted with fury after the Scottish Parliament was stripped
of a key energy power through a House of Lords amendment backed by
Unionist MPs. Mr Weir slammed the vote, which saw powers over renewable
obligation brought back under the control of Westminster. "This is an
outrageous example of the unionist parties ganging up to remove powers
from the Scottish Parliament. Worse still they did so by introducing
last-minute amendments in the unelected House of Lords, rather than
having the courage to debate it on the floor of the House of Commons."
Following is a quote from the article; the No and Yes votes refer to the
independence referendum on 18 September 2014:
Mr Weir revealed that there had been no consultation with the Scottish
Government or the Scottish Parliament prior to the introduction of the
amendment.
The SNP MP added: "…nor when challenged in the Commons did the minister
or his Labour front bench counterpart have any reasonable explanation as
to why this happened in such an underhand manner.
"This is yet another example of Tories and Labour ganging up at
Westminster against Scotland’s interests and removing powers from
Scotland. Whilst the No campaign talk about vague promises of more
powers if people vote No, the reality is they are removing Scotland’s
existing powers by stealth.
"The only way it can be stopped is with a Yes vote next September."
I
hope you will read the entire article; it will give you an idea of the
magnitude of the issue and the ignorance and vindictiveness of the Lords
involved.
The UK government’s removal of Scotland’s existing powers by stealth is
not a new phenomenon. For a 1999 example see
http://www.electricscotland.com/Independence/scotland_borders.htm
starting at mid-page 7. |
