The English resentment

By politics.co.uk staff John Denham will demand greater celebration of Englishness today, just as new research reveals the union is more vulnerable than ever. The communities secretary will make a speech to the Smith institute tonight which is expected to call for greater celebrations of Englishness – a distinct change from previous government statements concerning […]

Salmond publishes independence bill

By politics.co.uk staff Alex Salmond has revealed the questions that could be asked in a referendum on independence today. The Scottish first minister and leader of the Scottish national party (SNP) opted for a draft referendum bill, which prevents opposition parties killing off the bill before the general election. Voters will be given the option […]

SNP unveils independence plans

By Ian Dunt The Scottish National party (SNP) unveiled plans for a referendum on Scottish independence today, as it presents its plans for the next legislative session at Holyrood. The Scottish government hopes to have a vote in 2010, but faces outright opposition from all three main opposition parties. First minister Alex Salmond suggested having […]

Scotland and Wales: Ten years on

By politics.co.uk staff It is the tenth anniversary of the first elections for the Scottish and Welsh assemblies, but relations between the home nations are nearing an all-time low. New Labour made devolution a centrepiece of its reform programme when it came to power, with the promise that “devolution will be the salvation of the […]

SNP minister blames Westminster for Scottish recession

By politics.co.uk staff The minister for parliamentary business in the Hollyrood government has suggested the Scottish recession is the result of its association with the UK. Speaking to TalkSport for an interview to be broadcast tonight on the Ian Collins Late Show, Bruce Crawford said Scotland had been “pretty much dragged” into the recession. In […]

Cameron ‘vigorously opposed’ to SNP independence plans

David Cameron has stressed he will work to ensure the Scottish National Party (SNP) does not succeed in ‘splitting up’ the UK. While the Scottish Tories recently endorsed the Nationalists’ budget plans for the coming year, Mr Cameron said co-operation between rival parties would not extend to condoning Scottish independence. However, the Conservative party leader […]

Commission rejects Scottish autonomy

“Full fiscal autonomy for Scotland is “inconsistent with the union”, an independent commission has concluded. The Commission on Scottish Devolution, established by the Scottish parliament and British government but independent of both, made the claim in an interim report released today. Its chairman, Sir Kenneth Calman, said 160 written submissions and over 30 oral evidence […]

Scottish independence support shows fall

Dwindling support for Scottish independence may be partly responsible for the looming Glenrothes by-election being much closer than expected, a poll suggests. Voters in Glenrothes go to the polls on Thursday with what was once seen as a surefire Scottish National party (SNP) win now regarded as too close to call. A new poll published […]

Comment: Brown and Britain

Gordon Brown is contributing to another book, this time on Britain. Try not to get too excited. The last two books he wrote, Courage: Eight Portraits and Britain’s Everyday Heroes, were just too boring to read. As a political journalist, you felt a sense of duty, hoping for an insight into the man who, back […]

SNP: We won’t accept independence ‘no’ vote

The Scottish National party (SNP) candidate for Glasgow East provoked anger and confusion yesterday by insinuating the party would keep on holding referendums on Scottish independence until it got the answer it wanted. “When you ask someone to marry you, sometimes you have to persist,” said John Mason. He then quickly asserted that he did […]