Category Archives: Scotland

Government, Politics, Scotland

General Election: Jeremy Corbyn, pragmatism and progressive politics

LABOUR PARTY

Jeremy Corvyn

Jeremy Corbyn has ruled out an alliance with the Scottish National Party if there is a hung parliament following the general election. His stance could change if he finds himself in the position of forming a government.

Intro: Jeremy Corbyn insists he will not do a deal with the Scottish National Party at Westminster. But, if there is a hung parliament, circumstances should dictate that he reconsiders. Pragmatism may have to override principle.

Politics has a habit of delivering the unexpected. But sometimes, particularly in the current political climate, we should be ready to apply pragmatism as a means of moving forward.

Anyone who has followed the long political career of Jeremy Corbyn will not have been overly surprised at his remarks concerning the possibility of striking a deal at Westminster with the Scottish National Party following the general election.

Mr Corbyn reiterated that there will be ‘no deals’ and ‘no alliance’. He has given an almost steadfast pledge that he is not willing to consider Nicola Sturgeon’s overtures.

Politically, of course, it is perfectly understandable why the Labour leader has maintained his position. By ruling out any alliance with the SNP, he is giving potential Labour voters in Scotland good reason to back his own party. Were he to have signalled the possibility of doing a deal, that proportion of the electorate would likely go against their instincts. Politics is not about giving rivals an advantage to your own detriment.

Mr Corbyn, a hard left-leaning socialist, is a man of principle who has remained true to his ideals for decades. Some within his party perceive that as damaging stubbornness, but it remains universally fundamental to his vision of politics.

But waging election battles and governing are worlds apart. With all opinion polls cutting Theresa May’s lead, there is every chance that Mr Corbyn could find himself in a position where he could be required to form a government with the support of the SNP. If that scenario did come to pass, he would be invited to take a different path to the one he has been advocating up until now.

If he were to reject that, the Conservatives would be returned to power and Labour voters would never forgive him for not removing a government that has caused them great hardship. Austerity has reduced many to seek desperate help from food banks, with many unable to make ends meet. Idealism during the election campaign is fine and well, but he has not been in this position before. If the Labour leader wishes to take the mantle of power, he will likely have to adopt a much more pragmatic approach.

Such an alliance with the SNP would raise other issues. A second independence referendum in Scotland would become a prerequisite and condition of agreeing to do a deal with Labour. The SNP would be expected to pursue progressive policies in any alliance, so it wouldn’t just be a dilemma for Mr Corbyn. Any reversal of promises made by Ms Sturgeon would likely lead to the SNP facing a torrent of criticism.

Political history matters, too, particularly in relation to the mistakes of the past. The SNP have surely learnt the lessons of what transpired after it failed to back Labour in 1979.

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Britain, Government, Scotland, Society, Technology

Body cameras are an essential tool for police officers

POLICE SCOTLAND

PoliceCam2

Digital cameras are an essential accessory for police officers. They would be useful in the prevention and detection of crime.

Police Scotland have been conducting trials in the north east of video cameras attached to their uniforms. This follows the lead of several other British forces, including the Metropolitan Police in London.

Consideration is now being given to a roll-out of the technology which has been long proved as an effective tool in convicting wrong-doers. British Transport Police (BTP) has also demonstrated its usefulness, not least in Scotland.

Over the last nine years, deployment of body-worn cameras by BTP have been utilised on both the rail network and Glasgow subway, particularly so during major sporting fixtures. Their use has shown cameras can protect officers and improve the evidence for the prosecution.

Support for body cameras has been openly voiced by the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, which said they could bring vast economy savings to the justice system by increasing the number of early guilty pleas.

That in itself could significantly free up precious police time by relieving officers of the need to spend hours in court – waiting to provide oral testimonies and evidence they are never called on to give – because the accused has decided to change their plea at the last minute.

Ministers, too, have highlighted the merits of making better use of digital cameras, particularly in relation to gathering additional evidence that could be used in court.

The Scottish Government’s digital justice strategy, written some three years ago, said they would also enable officers to make better operational decisions, help to increase the personal safety of police officers, and that such accessories would be useful in the prevention and detection of crime.

Such a stance has also received the endorsement of Police Scotland Chief Constable Phil Gormley, who added that regular use of body cameras would result in fewer complaints against officers, with a likely increase in public confidence of the police service. Police routinely receive abuse from members of the public, but if those people are on camera, they may well think twice before doing so.

The main problem with greater use of cameras is the cost involved when the force’s budget is so stretched, as has been raised by the Scottish Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers.

Technical challenges also exist in getting the equipment up and running, issues of technological reliability, and the storage and accessibility of digital footage.

If the pilot scheme in the north east of Scotland has ultimately been a success, however, then it makes great sense to spread the practice across the rest of the country. Where technology is available to improve law and order, it should be made available to our officers to help them fulfil their duties – particularly given the precarious and dangerous situations officers can sometimes find themselves in.

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Britain, Government, Politics, Scotland

Scotland: Formal request to hold second independence referendum

SCOTLAND: BREXIT

A letter from Nicola Sturgeon formally requesting transfer of powers to hold a second Scottish independence referendum has been delivered to Downing Street.

The Section 30 letter penned by Scotland’s First Minister was dispatched to Prime Minister Theresa May on Friday morning.

MSPs voted by 69 to 59 this week in favour of seeking permission for an independence referendum to take place between autumn 2018 and spring 2019.

The letter said: “In these very changed circumstances, the people of Scotland must have the right to choose our own future – in short, to exercise our right of self determination.”

The UK Government has said it will decline the request, with Mrs May repeatedly stating “now is not the time” for another vote on the issue.

However, Ms Sturgeon has said her mandate for another vote is ”beyond question” and is pressing ahead with a formal approach for a Section 30 order – the mechanism for the powers to hold a referendum.

Ms Sturgeon said leaving the EU and the single market would have “enormous implications” for schools, hospitals, jobs and investment in Scotland.

In a video message posted by the Scottish Government on Twitter, she said: “The next two years are hugely important for Scotland because they will determine the kind of country we’ll become.

“That’s why I have today written to the UK Government to ensure that we can make that choice when the time is right to accept Brexit or instead become an independent country.

“I don’t take for granted how people would vote when that choice comes but I hope we can all agree that the future of our country is our choice.”

She added: “The Prime Minister has indicated that she intends to ignore the will of the Scottish Parliament and seek to prevent people in Scotland having that choice.

“If the Westminster government continues to hold that line, it will go against the very foundations of devolution.

“So, I hope the Prime Minister changes her mind and acknowledges that the people of Scotland are entitled to a choice at a time and in a way that is right for Scotland.

“However, if she doesn’t, as I expect she won’t, at least not yet, I will come back to the Scottish Parliament in a few weeks’ time with an update on how we’re going to move forward to ensure that the people of Scotland are able to choose our future when we have the information we need both about Brexit and about independence, and while there is still time to take a different path.”

In the letter to Mrs May, Ms Sturgeon said there appeared to be “no rational reason” for the UK Government to “stand in the way of the will of the Scottish Parliament”, adding: “I hope you will not do so.”

She continued: “However, in anticipation of your refusal to enter into discussions at this stage, it is important for me to be clear about my position.

“It is my firm view that the mandate of the Scottish Parliament must be respected and progressed. The question is not if, but how.

“I hope that will be by constructive discussion between our Governments. However, if that is not yet possible, I will set out to the Scottish Parliament the steps I intend to take to ensure that progress is made towards a referendum.”

Around 62% of Scottish voters backed the UK remaining part of the EU in June 2016 and the SNP manifesto for last year’s Holyrood elections said another ballot on independence should take place if there were a ”material change in circumstances” from the previous ballot in 2014.

The example cited was for Scotland to be removed from the EU against its wishes.

Scottish Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians oppose another referendum.

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