From Alasdair Galloway, no relation, I trust

UK government reply to “Grant a Section 30 Order to enable a Scottish Independence Referendum”.

Some time ago, I signed the petition “Grant a Section 30 Order to enable a Scottish Independence Referendum” more in hope than expectation. Since the number signing was above that which required Westminster to respond I have this morning received that response by email. I think its fair to say that my expectations have been fulfilled. It’s copied in below

BEGINS

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Grant a Section 30 Order to enable a Scottish Independence Referendum”.

Government responded:

The Government’s focus is on tackling issues such as the cost of living, energy security, and growing the economy. Addressing these and delivering for the whole of the UK is the Government’s priority.

In 2014, the people of Scotland had their say in an independence referendum and voted decisively to remain part of the UK. Then, both the UK Government and the Scottish Government agreed that it was the right thing for the people to have their say in an independence referendum. There was also consensus from Scottish political parties, civic society and people across Scotland. That is not the case at this time.

The Government is steadfast in its commitment to protect and promote the hundreds of years of shared history, beliefs and interests embodied in our United Kingdom. Scotland benefits greatly from being part of the United Kingdom and the rest of the United Kingdom benefits greatly from Scotland being part of it, with the pooling and sharing of resources that brings. Indeed, when we act as one United Kingdom, we are safer, stronger and more prosperous, and together we are better able to draw on the skills of our great institutions like the NHS and the armed forces.

We face major challenges right now – restoring economic stability, gripping inflation, supporting people with their energy bills, strengthening our NHS, combating climate change, supporting Ukraine and Levelling Up our country. As the Prime Minister has been clear, we will continue to work constructively with the Scottish Government in tackling all the shared challenges we face.

People across Scotland rightly expect to see both of their governments working together with a relentless focus on the issues that matter to them, their families, and their communities. Focusing resources and attention on addressing these challenges and delivering for the whole of the UK, is the UK Government’s priority.

Scotland Office

ENDS

To summarise those 331 words, what this means (along with a brief response below each) is

1. We’re busy dealing with other problems (though they lack the self-awareness to admit that they themselves have contributed to these problems).

Yes so you are, but a lot of them have been contributed to by your own policies. Also, tell me a time when a government couldn’t say it had other problems

• You had your referendum in 2014 when there was agreement across society that this was an appropriate course of action at that time, but this does not apply today.

Yes but you only conceded in 2014 because you thought it would be the proverbial “walk in the park”.

• We, Westminster, are determined to protect the Union, “hundreds of years of shared history, beliefs and interests” blah blah.

This I suppose must be an illustration of the sovereignty of the House of Commons that the Supreme Court keeps talking about – “we’re in charge, this is what we think so that’s what goes”

• Scotland “benefits greatly” from being part of the Union, and the Union “benefits greatly” from Scotland being in the Union. “[W]e [the UK] are safer, stronger and more prosperous” as part of the Union.

The problem with this one is that it elides carefully over the issue of who benefits more (or most) from the Union.

• Major challenges face us and our priority is to focus “resources and attention on addressing these challenges and delivering for the whole of the UK”

This one summarises many of the issues. Even if we accept the fundamental truth of their claim, it still begs the cui bono question. If you examine almost any UK regional figures for economic well-being, you will find that the two regions who come out on top all the time are London and the South-east. So far ahead are they that sometimes they are the only regions whose performance is above the UK average. Cui bono. The mistake that gets made is to focus on government spending in these two areas. Admittedly some of it is hidden (much of the Westminster machine is there, but most of the best paid are; how many “national centres” in London and south east?) but the real issue is that this illustrates how the UK works to their advantage.

To use George Galloway’s advice in 2014 “Just say naw”.