THE Labour Government has been accused of treating Scots as “second-class citizens” after a meeting of nations and regions set to take place in Edinburgh will not include any local leaders from Scotland.
The UK Government’s first meeting of the council of regions and nations – helmed by Sue Gray, former No 10 chief of staff and now “envoy” to the nations and regions of the UK– will take place in the capital on Friday.
Whilst 11 metro mayors from England and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan are set to attend, the only Scottish representative will be the First Minister.
Alongside the Prime Minister, the first ministers of Wales and Northern Ireland are also set to attend.
However, we told how Gray will not be attending the inaugural meeting as reports emerged that she is "taking a break".
Whilst councillors have expressed concern that local government representatives from Scotland were not invited, the UK Government insisted that it is because there is no Scottish equivalent to the English metro mayoral system.
Speaking to The National, councillors at the City of Edinburgh Council have said that Scots are being “disregarded” and treated as “second-class citizens”.
‘Labour views us as an afterthought’
SNP councillor Simita Kumar (below) – the first female leader of the SNP Edinburgh South group and the only ethnic minority councillor in Edinburgh – said the UK Government was failing to deliver on its promise of a better working relationship with Scotland.
Kumar told The National: “The new Labour Government’s rhetoric about greater powers for Scotland and collaborative working rings hollow when their actions tell a different story.
“Despite holding their meeting in Edinburgh, our capital city, they have largely sidelined Edinburgh and other Scottish cities – revealing how Labour truly views us: As an afterthought.
“This isn’t just disappointing; it’s a clear disregard for Scottish voices and an affirmation of why Scotland needs independence.
“We should be at the heart of our own decision-making, not relegated to the fringes by a Government that treats us as second-class citizens."
‘Our local authorities deserve an equal voice’
Meanwhile, Scottish Greens councillor Kayleigh O’Neill (below) told The National it was a “disgrace” that no representatives from Scotland’s local authorities had been invited.
She said: “Our local authorities deserve an equal voice alongside other regions of the UK, but Labour are purposefully excluding our voices.
“It is not fair or democratic that Scotland’s councils don’t get a say just because we don’t have the same system of local governance as other parts of the UK.
“The First Minister does not speak on behalf of Scotland’s democratically elected councils, so having him as the sole Scottish representative makes no sense.”
O’Neill reiterated calls for Scotland to become an independent nation, adding that it is the “only way” to ensure Scottish voices are heard.
She added: “This shows how little respect Labour has for local democracy, and it’s clearer than ever that the only way to ensure Scotland’s democratic voice is heard is by becoming an independent republic.”
It comes as local authorities body Cosla wrote to Scottish Secretary Ian Murray (below) on Monday expressing “disappointment” at the lack of local representation.
Cosla president, councillor Shona Morrison, wrote: “It is very disappointing that we have today learned through the media that the first meeting of the council will take place this week in Scotland yet there will be no opportunity for Scottish local government to be present or participate in vital discussions on investment and growth.
“Whilst we appreciate that there is a model of regional mayors in England, in Scotland as you know, we neither have them, nor, through discussions Cosla has had with our member councils, is there an appetite for such a model at present.”
Morrison added: “I would hope that means we, as the representative voice of Scottish local government, are provided the opportunity, with our partners in the Scottish Government, to work with you to best understand what we can all do collectively to ensure that we are delivering in the most effective ways for our communities.”
A spokesperson for Cosla told The National that they are awaiting response from the UK Government and “hope for further constructive conversations with the Secretary of State over how local government can be better represented in these discussions going forward”.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We will convene leaders – including the Scottish First Minister – for the council of the nations and regions which will focus on delivering growth and investment across the UK.
“There is no equivalent local government structure in Scotland to English regional mayors and we are not including council leaders from England in this forum.
“We respect devolution, so the question on whether there is further devolution to an equivalent level in Scotland is a matter for the Scottish Government – that is their decision to take.”
