‘Negativity’ around governmental relations

There has been a “negativity” surrounding the relationship between the Scottish and UK governments in recent years, the Scottish affairs committee (SAC) has heard.

Three former secretaries of state for Scotland yesterday spoke to the SAC on inter governmental relations between both governments during their time in office.

Douglas Alexander, Baron Desmond Brown and Baroness Helen Liddell all previously held the position and told the committee that the relationship between both parties has diminished in the 25 years since Scotland was granted devolution.

Mr Alexander, who was secretary of state for Scotland between May 2006 and June 2007, said relationships between both governments was previously “broadly very good”, but said this is no longer the case.

Mr Alexander was a Paisley Labour MP from 1997 until 2015.

He said the “reality is the character of Scottish politics and Scotland’s relationship with the United Kingdom, politically has changed significantly since all three of us in our different roles served as secretary of state for Scotland”.

Mr Alexander said the change in relationship is down to the SNP government in Scotland.

Former Labour MP Baroness Liddell agreed with Mr Alexander, stating: “I’d very much agree with (Mr Alexander) in that.”

Lord Browne said politics in Scotland and in the wider UK is now “completely different” compared with when he was secretary of state.

He said “politics and personalities” are why the relationship has diminished.

The committee will hear from Alex Salmond, who was the First Minister for Scotland between 2007 and 2014, today and from Nicola Sturgeon, on April 29.