Six weeks ago, Sir Keir Starmer stood outside 10 Downing Street and announced the formation of the new Labour government. He promised to lead a British national reset and “a rediscovery of who we are”. A new relationship between the component nations of the United Kingdom was expressly a key part of that, particularly between the UK and Scottish governments.
Labour’s promise of a more collaborative approach with the devolved nations was welcome. It involves a sharp turn away from the relentless confrontations and absence of constructive strategy of the recent past. But it raises plenty of other questions, not least about the role that the UK Treasury will play in Scotland’s spending plans. What Labour wants to create remains unclear – though its good intentions do not.
