THE Scotland Office has been accused of continuing Tory “attacks on devolution” after saying the UK Government would work in Scottish policy areas “devolved or not”.
Ian Murray’s department has found itself accused of seeking to meddle in the Scottish Government’s affairs after saying it would look to advance Keir Starmer’s six “milestones” in Scotland, regardless of whether or not it had the power to.
In a release on Thursday following the Prime Minister’s speech which set out new policy targets, the Scotland Office said: “The message is clear – devolved or not [italics in original] – we will collectively make a difference across the UK sharing best practice and aligning efforts across every level of government, business and with civil society.”
Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie (below) criticised the comment as “anti-democratic”.
The former minister told The National that devolution had acted as a “bulwark” against Westminster policies for the past 25 years, adding: “The constant attacks on devolution by Labour and the Tories are not only an attack on democracy and the voice of the Scottish electorate, they’re a direct attack on the fairer, greener Scotland we voted for and are working to build.
“We’ve already seen important civil rights and environmental legislation unilaterally blocked by Westminster.
“Every Scottish party and politician should be doing everything they can to resist these anti-democratic encroachments into devolved issues.”
Chris McEleny (above), the general secretary of the Alba Party, suggested the comments gave the Scottish Government an excuse to meddle in reserved policy areas.
He said: “If the UK Government think it is acceptable to dictate devolved policy matters than why would the Scottish Government not then start pursuing reserved policy matters – such as closing the roads that allow access of nuclear warheads into Coulport on the Clyde or delivering the people of Scotland a choice on their future as an independent country?
“What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.”
Starmer's six milestones mostly relate to policy areas which are devolved to the Scottish Parliament, including a new housebuilding target, plans for better NHS waiting times, more teachers, getting children "ready to learn" when they start school and more police officers.
The two pledges which affect Scotland are vows to increase disposable income and the watering down of their green energy target, which now aims to achieve 95% clean power by 2030.
The UK Government was approached for comment.
