NATS BACK SCHEME... THROUGH GRITTED TEETH
THE Government’s critics have spent so long urging it to get on with the day job it was bound to take heed eventually.
Only the whirr of activity in these normally quiet summer months has not been from St Andrew’s House but Westminster.
That is only to be expected with Brexit negotiations under way and ministers forced to navigate the choppy waters of minority government. But as yesterday’s unveiling of a City Deal for Edinburgh and the South-East demonstrates, the UK Government is determined to highlight its commitment to Scotland.
The benign neglect of the Cameron years has been replaced by confident engagement in matters north of the Border. Theresa May’s ministry does not feel obliged to seek Holyrood’s permission to perform its role as one of Scotland’s two governments. The City Deal scheme is a Westminster initiative that was first brought to Glasgow in 2014 and now to Scotland’s second-largest conurbation.
It means investment, jobs, and regeneration and will help Edinburgh innovate its way through the challenges of Brexit, automation, and housing affordability.
It underscores the importance of Scotland in the government’s agenda. That is in part a reflection of the election result; if the SNP’s star continues to wane the Scottish Tories are well placed to pick up additional seats in future polls.
But it also speaks to the Prime Minister’s attachment to the Union, famously espoused in her first speech on the steps of Downing Street. June 8 may have been Theresa May’s electio horribilis but it does not appear to have shaken her belief in the centrality of the Union to the Tory mission.
After a bumpy start to his new term as Secretary of State – he talked tough on the DUP deal but no matching cash for Scotland was forthcoming – David Mundell is showing renewed determination.
Yesterday saw First Secretary of State Damian Green and Defence Secretary Michael Fallon in Scotland making mediafriendly announcements. It’s no mean feat to secure one senior Cabinet visit but two on the same day is a meaningful indication of Mr Mundell’s growing influence.
Edinburgh’s deal is money in the city’s hip pocket but it is also a symbol. Likewise the naming of the first of eight Govanbuilt Type 26 frigates HMS Glasgow.
The Conservatives want to prove that being part of the UK really does mean the best of both worlds for Scotland. The Nationalists grasp how damaging it is to their case for separation. No wonder they are less than enthusiastic behind closed doors. A UK Government source tells me: ‘City deals have been a very effective vehicle for boosting local economies. The Scottish Government approach them through slightly gritted teeth – they resent sharing the credit with the UK Government.
‘But in fairness they have committed to making vital contributions to these transformative packages. When you see a deal like this signed, it does rather highlight how much energy can be wasted on sterile public spats about the constitution.’
The very fact that both administrations have shown the fruits of cooperation will only increase public demand for more collaboration between Holyrood and Westminster. That puts Nicola Sturgeon in a bind when MSPs return after recess. School attainment and NHS waiting times will come out of the ‘too-hard’ basket and into her in-tray. The voters won’t stand for a return to distractions and grievances.
The Nationalists have shown they can govern when prodded enough – expect the country to keep prodding.