Independence case is waning, says Blair

MICHAEL SETTLE

Blair and Donald Dewar after 1997 devolution vote.

the policy of his first government had “allowed us, as a UK, to keep together”.

The former party leader said: “If, as it looks to me, that separation somewhat subsides in Scotland, then we will be left with a constitutional settlement that 20 years on, for all its stresses and strains from time to time, has kept the UK together.”

Mr Blair also admitted that for a time he was “quite obsessed” by wanting the establishment of a British football league to maintain the cultural links across the UK following the devolution vote. A MAJOR offshore wind farm off the Moray coast will go ahead at record low prices after securing subsidies in the latest Government auction.

The three successful offshore wind projects in the auction include the Moray East Wind Farm off the north east coast of Scotland.

The venture by EDPR and Engie, would bring major economic opportunities to the supply chain, low cost electricity and “exceptional benefits” to consumers, said Dan Finch, managing director of Moray Offshore Renewables.

Joao Manso Neto, chief executive of EDPR, said: “This auction has demonstrated the real progress in cost reduction and our result shows how affordable offshore wind can be compared to other technologies, including new thermal generation.”

He said the UK needed more low carbon generation to maintain security of supplies, adding it was in