Time for a divorce in Argyll and Bute, urges Scotland secretary
DAVID MUNDELL WANTS TIME CALLED ON SYSTEM OF CENTRALISED LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE BETTER FUTURE
BETTER government will only be delivered in Argyll if the area is broken up into four distinct regions, says the secretary of state for Scotland.
David Mundell MP this week echoed the aspirations of SNP MP Brendan O’Hara, who was pleasantly surprised and welcomed the comments.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell this week called for a debate on what new powers historic burghs like Oban, Lochgilphead and Campbel- town should be given by Holyrood in order to take greater control over their own affairs.
A spokeswoman for Argyll and Bute Council said she was unaware of any comments made by the secretary of state.
In a keynote speech on devolution, Mr Mundell said that councils such as those in Argyll and Bute needed to make their voices heard with the Scottish Government and make the case for greater powers.
He said that Scottish towns and villages risked falling behind their counterparts in the rest of the UK because the UK Government was already handing back powers to local areas at an unprecedented rate.
Mr Mundell said: ‘The issue of devolution to local communities is now an urgent one for Scotland.
REVOLUTION ‘There is a revolution going on in local government across the rest of the United Kingdom, with local areas regaining power and responsibility at an unprecedented rate.
‘Scotland cannot afford to be left behind as the rest of the UK revolutionises how it governs itself, giving towns, cities and counties more of the autonomy which our international competitors enjoy. It’s time we had a proper debate about devolution within Scotland.
‘And it should be a real debate - because one size does not fit all. What is the right path for our big cities will not necessarily be the right route for our villages and towns to take.
‘People in places like Oban, Lochgilphead and Campbeltown should join the debate. Scotland is fortunate to have a strong network of community councils, often based around historic settlements in which people feel real pride.
‘If Argyll and Bute was in Norway, instead of having one council, it would have between six and 10 highly empowered local governments.
VOICES HEARD ‘Councils like Argyll and Bute need to make their voices heard and tell the Scottish Government what powers and responsibilities they want to have to shape their futures. That should be national debate, and I today commit to play my part in that. Devolution is not worthy of the name if it stops at the gates of Holyrood.’
Saying this was not council bashing, Argyll and Bute MP Mr O’Hara said: ‘This is a great time to have a debate and I want to be involved.
‘Argyll and Bute is immense in size and most people feel disengaged from politics because of that.
These proposals are long overdue and thinking about the local areas in Argyll and Bute taking over more power is exciting.’