The link between devolution and nationalism

“Devolution will kill nationalism stone dead.”

George Robertson’s famous quote has looked ever more ridiculous as time has passed. It was quoted in 2007 when the SNP won control of the Scottish parliament and dug up again in 2011 when they won a majority many thought impossible. The quote has never seemed more ironic than it does now, as we head to a referendum on Scottish independence on 18^th September 2014.

Why was Robertson so wrong? Why, after 16 years of devolution, is nationalism on the Scottish public agenda more than ever?

Of course, the simple answer is that devolution has worked so well because countries are better governed by their own people. Independence is the natural next step to a model of devolution which has been successful but not without limits.

Since 1997, Scotland has fared best in areas of governance we control within Holyrood. Where we have been failed is in areas such as warfare – with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars – and the economy, still controlled by Westminster. Naturally, this has lead to a debate on winning more power and more control for Holyrood.

Recent polls show that support for full-blown independence still lacks majority backing. However, it is clear that most Scots want further devolution; in a January 2012 Ipsos MORI poll, 71% backed the concept of ‘Devolution Max’.

While Devo Max is not on the table, this shows that there are a great number of undecided voters who want more power for Scotland, but are not sure how they want such a thing framed: in an independent Scotland, or as part of a United Kingdom promising more power after the referendum.

The challenge for the ‘Yes’ campaign is to convince these voters that Scotland would be better run with full control as an independent nation.

The unionists, meanwhile, will have to convince the public that greater autonomy will be best accommodated as part of the union.

The SNP were formed with the very purpose of winning independence and in turn more power for Scotland. The unionist parties, however, will have a job on their hands to convince voters that they truly care about more power for Scotland.

Promises of more power have appeared only as part of their campaign against independence, and not as part of any innate desire to see Scotland with more control of its affairs.

The Conservatives, Labour and the Lib Dems have all now been quoted as saying they want to offer more power to Scotland in 2015, after a ‘no’ vote. None are willing to provide full details of those powers, leading to shouts of “jam tomorrow”

Of course, before the 1979 referendum, Scots were promised that a future Conservative government would offer Scotland “something better”.  This proved to be the reign of Margaret Thatcher.

In truth, few voters – even those not born in ’79 - will be naïve enough to believe that in the event that Scotland returns a ‘no’ vote, there will be anything but a token gesture offered by the unionist parties in terms of further powers for Scotland.

The only way to ensure that full control of Scottish affairs is in Scottish hands - that the desire of those 71% surveyed by Ipsos MORI is met - is to vote ‘Yes’ for an independent Scotland.

Westminster control has hurt Scotland time and time again.

In 2003, MPs voted on an amendment to the Iraq war motion – that the case for war was not established. 52% of Scottish MPs voted against the war. Overall, 65% of Westminster MPs voted for.

In 2007, 60% of Scottish MPs voted against the renewal of Trident; in Westminster overall, 72% voted for.  Scotland’s share of Trident costs is estimated at around £163 million per year - and our share of the replacement costs about £84 million per year for 15 years.

In January 2013, Scottish MPs voted 11 for and 46 against in the vote on the benefits cut. In Westminster this was 324 for, 268 against.

In February 2013, 4 Scottish MPs voted in favour of the bedroom tax, 41 against. Overall, 265 MPs voted for whilst 224 voted against.

Our voice is not heard in Westminster. Only in an independent Scotland – with a government we elected – can Scottish politicians truly represent the people of Scotland and have their votes matter.

Nationalism is alive and kicking because devolution has stoked within the people of Scotland a desire for more control over their own affairs. It’s clear that the ‘no’ vote will lead only to more of the same for Scotland; that same lack of control and those same hurtful Westminster policies which have lead to a clamour for more power in the first place.

If you believe that Scotland ought to have more control over its own affairs, a ‘yes’ vote is the only decision which will deliver that.