Liberal Democrat Conference 2009: The future of Devolution (Gordon Liberal Democrats)

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Liberal Democrat Conference 2009: The future of Devolution

September 20, 2009 12:00 AM
By George Lyon MEP
Originally published by George Lyon - Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland

"Devolution is a process, not an event" - the words of Scotland's first First Minister Donald Dewar.

After ten years of devolution it is right and reasonable to review that process.

Let us be in no doubt that devolution has been a success for Scotland, and many of the successes are down to Liberal Democrats.

Free personal care for the elderly, the scrapping of tuition fees for students, banning smoking in public places for all, the list goes on.

All policies devised and driven by Liberal Democrats.

But we can do more, Scotland can do more.

As we accelerate the campaign to secure more powers for Scotland, let us remember one thing:

We are on the right side of this battle. Liberal Democrats are exactly where Scotland is:

pro devolution, anti independence,

in favour of more powers, not content with the status quo.

We stand with the majority that are utterly against the upheaval and confusion, never mind the cost, that ripping Scotland out of not one but two unions would cause.

Why would Scotland want to go down the long and difficult road to rejoin the European Union when we are already a member?

Why would we want to re-negotiate as a new member state with the pitfalls and penalties that would entail?

Would that really be in the best interests of Scotland's farmers and fisherman, our environment and economy?

I say no.

After all Scotland's interests are not that different from the rest of the UK.

Despite what Alex Salmond claims, it is not some simple, consensual divorce - there is no pre-nup in place, no nest egg to fall back on.

In his speech to the Scottish Parliament, Alex Salmond claimed that Scotland does not have a single vote to cast in Brussels; that is fantasy politics

Back in the real world, Scotland has twenty-nine votes to cast in Brussels, but only if we work with our neighbours to use them.

But it is said that Ministers barely speak to each other. No dialogue, no engagement, no pressing the flesh to get the best deal for Scotland.

Salmond seems happier sitting on his hands rather than offering them in cooperation.

If the SNP have it their way, Salmond would be sitting at the European top table with less than three votes in his back pocket.

A pee shooter compared to the big guns of France and Germany with twenty nine.

If the SNP worked with their UK counterparts then they could use the loud, booming voice that the UK has in Europe already.

Instead, the SNP choose separation ahead of Scotland's interests. They want the UK fail in Europe, and Scotland fail in the UK.

Well Conference, we will not let that happen.

The problem is not with the system of Government, but rather with the Government itself.

The solution is not a change of constitution but a change of Government in London and in Edinburgh.

Liberal Democrats have used the powers of the Scottish Parliament to great effect, we have shown what can be done, and we will do so again with increased powers.

With the General Election just round the corner we have to show that it is the Liberal Democrats that offers something different, a party that will stand up for Scotland and make it stronger.

Calman is the vehicle that will take us there; it is the antidote to the virus of independence.

We support a united, not a divided kingdom. We support more powers for the Scottish Parliament. Liberal Democrats are on the right side of this, on Scotland's side.