Devolution

Twin Tracks: Cultural and Political Nationalism after 1967

Author / Creator: Scott Hames

Media type: Book

Date published: 2020

The idea of Devolution arriving on a wave of artistic Renaissance and rising national ‘confidence’ is too simplistic, and obscures important disparities between the ‘twin tracks’ of cultural and political nationalism.


Scottish devolution at 20: some hits, some misses and that eternal maybe

Author / Creator: Christopher A Whatley

Media type: News Media

Date published:

Many hoped devolution would kill nationalism stone dead. Labour colleagues failed to grasp Scots’ powerful sense of nationhood. Although a Labour man argued that devolution could lead to independence. Alex Salmond  asserted that independence was “rendered inevitable when the Scottish parliament was established”. 


A Sign on the Road

Author / Creator: John S Warren

Media type: News Media

Date published:

A critique of "Strength in Union: The Case for the United Kingdom", and especially Alister Jack's view of Scotland in the Union.


The UK’s Brexit mismanagement, Open Minds on Independence #11

Author / Creator: Believe in Scotland

Media type: News Media

Date published: 2021

There were a number of  mistakes made in negotiating a Brexit arrangement. 
This was imposed on Scotland against its will. It has turned out to be a disaster for key industries.

1. Ignoring the wishes of Scotland and the other devolved nations 

2. Sticking so rigidly to “getting Brexit done” that it made an acceptable trade deal impossible. It was immediately apparent there were serious problems.

3. Underestimating just how big a problem taking Northern Ireland out of the EU would be. 


Scotland, Brexit and Broken Promise of Democracy

Author / Creator: Klaus Stolz

Date published:

The perception of a democratic deficit began in the Thatcher premiership, long before Brexit. Scottish self government came to be positively linked with European intergation.


Minimizing the Cost of Union: Fiscal Autonomy and the Case of Scotland

Author / Creator: Paul Hallwood

Media type: Academic Paper

Date published: 2020

Argues for federalism in public funding where taxation is devolved.  This would improve the link between public finance and democracy.


Barnett formula

Author / Creator: Wikipedia

Media type: Wikipedia

Date published: 2021

The Barnett formula is a mechanism used by the Treasury in the UK to automatically adjust the amounts of public expenditure allocated to Northern IrelandScotland and Wales to reflect changes in spending levels allocated to public services in England