Damage of devolution

StePHeN Daisley was spot on when he questioned the inevitability of Indyref 2 and independence (Mail).

the unsettled mess that is Scottish politics is the result of poor devolution legislation, complacency and short-sighted acquiescence to demands for powers beyond those originally devolved.

the Labour Party is guilty of introducing the poorly constructed devolution Bill. those behind it decided that devolving powers from the relevant Secretaries of State to assemblies for only three of the Union’s nations was a mistake.

Leaving england as part of the Westminster cabal has played into the hands of separatists who portray Westminster and england as a joint barrier to independence.

Secondly, Westminster has allowed endless additions to the original Bill when political expediency takes precedence over a full analysis of the long-term consequences. Westminster has, in effect, introduced Scottish independence by the back door.

thirdly, there was a failure to introduce a ‘sunset clause’. Legislation is often revisited for many reasons. No one should expect the devolution Bill to be any different.

Full reviews and revision should be carried out at fixed intervals – perhaps every five years or so. Look no farther than the failure of the voting system to produce a Holyrood of consensus politics.

Like all politics, devolution should mean evolution, not revolution. the result of unfettered Scottish devolution has heralded decline in most devolved responsibilities, rampant political tribalism and division, as an almost one-party state exerts constant pressure for independence.

It is never too late to correct errors before they become irreversible. Perhaps devolution should be re-examined as it is being used to achieve the dreams of separatists to the detriment of the majority.

GrAhAm WYLLiE, Greengairs, Lanarkshire.