Yesterday the Scots celebrated their beloved patron saint, St Andrews. For many in Scotland the celebrations were spoilt by the recently released report of the Smith Commission. The commission was set up by Prime Minister David Cameron after the vote against Scottish independence.
It was an initiative supported by all parties, especially by the three major one (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats), who vowed Scotland would have more power if it stayed with the United Kingdom. Its scope was then to create a set for inter-party talks in order to define measures that would make the Scottish Parliament’s powers stronger and more inclusive.
On November 27, the Commission officially reported its findings:
· The parliament should be given the power to set income tax rates and bands on earned income and will retain all of the income tax raised in Scotland.
· The parliament should be given powers to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in Scottish elections.
· The parliament should be given powers to create new benefits in devolved areas and make discretionary payments in any area of welfare.
· A range of other benefits that support older people, carers, disabled people and those who are ill should also be fully devolved.
· The Scottish government and Scottish Parliament should have a “formal consultative role” in the process of reviewing the BBC Charter.
These were welcomed by the three parties, which claim they “have listened to the people and did what the people wanted”. Yet, the commission did not concede anything really substantial. Its very findings are but mere recommendations that require Westminster’s approval before they can be used as principles for legislation. First Scottish Minister Nicola Sturgeon has chosen her words carefully, saying that the commission’s findings were “disappointing”. Sturgeon was hoping the commission would give Scotland the power to set its own minimum wage, more extensive welfare powers (a proposal which was hastily rejected on the negotiations’ last day), control over the personal allowance of income tax, national insurance contributions, universal credit, “the kind of things that create jobs and help us tackle inequality”, said Sturgeon. Speaking in Holyrood she remarked that “70% of our taxes continue to be set at Westminster, 85% of social security controlled at Westminster – this parliament is responsible for less than half of the money we will spend”.
To make things even worse, once again Labour was accused of leaning towards the Conservatives because of its opposition to the devolution of the minimum wage. How the Scottish voters will welcome the report will be an important factor for the UK General elections in May.
In the meantime, however shallow the commission’s findings they are likely to set motions to new devolution demands, and give renewed strength to the old ones, from England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It is unlikely that the government will be able to satisfy all of them, with the risk that frustrating the now higher expectations will fuel resentment towards Scotland.
It was an initiative supported by all parties, especially by the three major one (Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrats), who vowed Scotland would have more power if it stayed with the United Kingdom. Its scope was then to create a set for inter-party talks in order to define measures that would make the Scottish Parliament’s powers stronger and more inclusive.
