SNP leaders seem incapable of understanding the architecture of devolution
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Nicola Sturgeon’s official spokesman, who undoubtedly articulates what Ms Sturgeon thinks, lashes out intemperately at “unionist politicians” who are “trying to pretend that they won an election they lost”. And that, he said, made them “like Donald Trump”.
The only people besieging town centres – as Trump supporters did in January 2021 – as a result of the Supreme Court’s judgment were the usual motley crew of saltire-waving separatists. As it happened, there were only a few hundred of them, which gives a clue as to the popular outrage caused by the Supreme Court: ie, very little.
As for the “election they lost”, SNP leaders seem to be incapable of understanding the architecture of devolution. The fundamental point is that the Holyrood system was created by Westminster and is in a subaltern role to it. That is, Holyrood’s authority lies in the areas that are devolved to it, and they do not include the constitution.
In any case, Ms Sturgeon told several interviewers and members of the public before the 2021 Holyrood election that a vote for the SNP (or, “a vote for me”) was not a vote for a referendum or for secession. Claiming her minority vote as a majority on the basis of all SNP and Green voters supporting a referendum seems to me distinctly dishonest.
Jill Stephenson
Edinburgh
Scottish devolution
Following a vote for independence, Scotland would petition to rejoin the European Union. This would provide Scotland with access to the European single market and allow freedom of movement of people, so Scottish and other EU citizens could travel freely.
Mama lives in Moffat; younger brother on the Solway Firth. Their idealised accounts of their life together might lean to going over to Rome, Brussels and Paris. Fiscally this did not stand scrutiny. It was a process carried out through due deliberation and characteristic Scottish thoroughness.
Nicola Sturgeon needs to come to terms with that, whatever campaigners supporting the first minister say about the “de facto referendum” plan, while MPs and MSPs grapple to unite behind it.
Kevin Thompson FRSE, OBE, fellow of Clare Hall Cambridge and associate in residence at the University of Cambridge
N Ferriby
There is a solution to unemployment
This week’s ONS figures show a worrying rise in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neets), up 13,000, at the same time as the UK economy is facing a labour and skills shortage which is crippling industries like hospitality.
But the solution is under our noses: a generation of resilient, engaged, and hardworking young people.
We continue to overlook the value young people bring to the workforce and fail to invest in them. Our research found nine in 10 employers say it is important to foster young talent, yet more than a third don’t offer work experience opportunities.
Young people are being let down and ignored – particularly those who have had a challenging start in life – while businesses are crying out for talent. Investing in and supporting young people would go a long way to solving both problems.
It is encouraging to see the government create a minister for social mobility, youth and progression, but we now need to see it deliver a proper plan for young people. One that is joined up across government, brings in businesses, young people and youth workers and invests in giving young people the skills, opportunities and support they need.
Only in doing so can we unlock the full potential of young people, and economic growth for the country.
Meghan Farren, managing director, KFC UK & Ireland
Ndidi Okezie, chief executive, UK Youth
Foreign students are an asset
As a current student studying at Newcastle University, I fear that without foreign students not only will the university suffer, but the North East region as a whole would feel the blow of this greatly. Foreign students are an asset to the region as they have enriched the local culture, as well as benefitting the local economy. I worry that without foreign students the region would feel negative implications for the economy and culture.
Darcy Flanagan
Newcastle upon Tyne
I applaud the government’s change of heart
On 2 December 1999, you published an article by me, “The Recruitment Scandal: Universities are exploiting foreign students”, in which l said that universities getting a substantial part of their income by admitting poorly qualified applicants purely for the money was not a good idea. I understand that the government, frightened by the latest statistics on immigration, now agrees and intends to clamp down.
I applaud this change of heart, while feeling certain that government ministers have thought this through carefully and are prepared to tolerate the storm which will result from the closure of something like 25 per cent of British universities.
I might add that l also suggested then that the money was needed to maintain university heads’ salaries of £100,000 a year. There has been some inflation since.
Robert Walls
Camberley
This is the greatest irony of Brexit
One has to choose one’s words carefully, but it is surely undeniable that among the most vigorous supporters of Brexit there was more than a whiff of traditional British racism and xenophobia. The greatest irony of Brexit is that not only has the level of immigration increased but it is of more culturally diverse origins. Many of the immigrants of recent decades have been EU citizens with whom we have arguably most in common culturally; but because of Brexit, they have been returning home to Europe in droves.
They are being replaced by people from much more diverse cultures. I hasten to add that this is not a bad thing – apart from the loss of valued EU friends – and it adds to the already wonderful cultural richness of British society; but it is the exact opposite of what the Brexit people thought they were voting for.
Gavin Turner
Norfolk
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