- Reform Scotland calls for end to “lazy” divisions based on constitutional tribes
- Proposes a range of cross-party policies to strengthen devolution and improve outcomes
Reform Scotland, the independent, non-partisan think tank, today publishes Working Better, Together – its mini-manifesto ahead of the General Election
As Holyrood marks its quarter-century, the think tank calls on all parties to work together on non-constitutional, non-ideological improvements which would make devolution perform better for the people of Scotland.
Reform Scotland has outlined six areas for change:
- Tidying up the inefficient and messy split in welfare powers, by devolving all of welfare to the Scottish Parliament
- Incentivising entrepreneurship and growth through a new economic settlement which devolves more powers over borrowing and Corporation Tax
- Tackling Scotland’s serious demographic problem by allowing divergence between the immigration policies of Scotland and the rest of the UK
- Promoting joint working, not just between London and Edinburgh (for instance on net zero) but also between Edinburgh and Scotland’s regions, through decentralisation of power away from Holyrood
- Strengthening the Scottish Parliament’s institutions, particularly its committee system
- Encouraging cross-party politics on issues of national importance, such as funding healthcare, higher education and infrastructure
The full paper can be read here.
Chris Deerin, Director of Reform Scotland, said:
“Discussions around the balance of powers at Holyrood have become too tangled up in the constitutional debate. There are real problems with the current settlement – for example, in the Scottish Parliament’s over-reliance on a single tax. But rather than find compromises and solutions, politicians too often retreat to their familiar constitutional positions – Unionists not wanting to “give in” to the SNP, or Nationalists pushing for full independence rather than seeking to make devolution work better.
“As a result of this lazy divide, consensus and long-term policy discussion is all too rare.
“As Holyrood marks its 25th birthday, and with a General Election on 4 July, there is an opportunity to seriously consider changes that would make devolution work better for the people of Scotland.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Working Better, Together can be read here.
- Reform Scotland, a charity registered in Scotland, is a public policy institute which works to promote increased economic prosperity, opportunity for all, and more effective public services. Reform Scotland is independent of political parties and any other organisations. It is funded by donations from private individuals, charitable trusts and corporate organisations. Its Director is Chris Deerin and Alison Payne is the Research Director. Both work closely with the Trustee Board, chaired by Lord McConnell, which meets regularly to review the research and policy programme.
For media contact Andy Maciver, [email protected], 07855 261 244