Judges at the Supreme Court have ruled that provisions in two bills passed by MSPs were beyond Holyrood’s powers. MSPs unanimously backed the bills – which enshrine treaties on children’s rights and local government in Scots law – prior to May’s Holyrood election. However after a challenge from UK law officers, judges said the legislation… Continue reading Oct 2021. The Scottish Executive getting it Legally Wrong
Tag: Holyrood
May 2021. The Queen’s Speech for Scotland
The Queen has outlined the government’s priorities for the year ahead, as she officially reopened Parliament. In a ten-minute speech in the House of Lords, she highlighted 30 laws that ministers intend to pass in the coming year. This includes a number of bills carried over from the previous “session” of Parliament, which ended in… Continue reading May 2021. The Queen’s Speech for Scotland
May 2021. Education in Covid Scotland
I am afraid that whenever a politician asks to be judged on their record, it is sensible to assume this reflects a confidence they won’t be. At the very least such promises are hostages to future headlines. Take, for instance, Nicola Sturgeon’s boast that education – and specifically closing the gap between the best and… Continue reading May 2021. Education in Covid Scotland
May 2021. Sturgeon and another Referendum Part 2
We can expect screams for a Referendum now that the Scottish Parliament elections are over. While the SNP fell short of a majority, pro-independence parties combined crossed the 65-seat mark thanks to the Scottish Greens, a nationalist party. Nicola Sturgeon says this represents a mandate for another referendum. That view will be dutifully echoed by… Continue reading May 2021. Sturgeon and another Referendum Part 2
May 2021. Sturgeon and another Referendum Part 1
Tom Bradby got them started. On Friday night, the News at Ten anchor opined that ‘if the SNP can assemble a pro-independence majority’, he couldn’t see ‘how it would be credible to deny them another referendum’. In fact, ‘it would make an absolute mockery of the principle of democratic devolution’. All we’re going to be hearing… Continue reading May 2021. Sturgeon and another Referendum Part 1
May 2021. Mhairi Black
Mhairi Black MP has been branded a “champagne nationalist” after claiming almost £13,500 for business class flights between Paisley and London. Critics slammed the SNP politician after it was revealed she claimed for 38 journeys between Glasgow Airport and London City. https://rumble.com/vhfpfz-may-2021.-mhairi-black.html [user-submitted-posts]
May 2021. The Electoral System in Scotland
Anyone over the age of 16 who lives in Scotland and is registered to vote is eligible to go to the polls on election day. People who are not permitted to vote are those younger than that age, along with those who have been legally excluded from voting – for example, if they are serving… Continue reading May 2021. The Electoral System in Scotland
May 2021. The Scottish Election
It was established in 1999 to debate issues and make laws for Scotland. A total of 129 MSPs are elected to the Parliament – often referred to as Holyrood, after the area of Edinburgh where the parliament building stands. They debate and pass laws on devolved issues – these include most aspects of day-to-day life… Continue reading May 2021. The Scottish Election
UK Government to Bypass Scottish Executive
Westminster is attempting to “bypass the Scottish Government” by giving UK ministers powers in areas that are reserved for Edinburgh, the SNP has claimed. The United Kingdom Internal Market Bill gives ministers the power to fund infrastructure and development anywhere in the UK, which the SNP say is an attack on devolution because areas such… Continue reading UK Government to Bypass Scottish Executive
Jan 2021. Will Alex Salmond Appear at the Inquiry
Alex Salmond has accused Nicola Sturgeon of misleading parliament, calling evidence she gave to an inquiry into the handling of sexual harassment claims against him “simply untrue”. Mr Salmond’s comments emerged in a written submission to a separate investigation into whether the first minister breached the ministerial code. The submission has been shared with the… Continue reading Jan 2021. Will Alex Salmond Appear at the Inquiry