Alex Thomson quoted in The MJ
Author: Heather Jameson, The MJ |
Localis’ Chief Executive, Alex Thomson, is quoted in The MJ’s recent piece on the consequences of Scottish devolution for England’s regions:
Fast-tracked plans for Scottish devolution, which were unveiled by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday, will not guarantee more powers for English local government, a think tank has warned.
Last night Mr Brown vowed to push through controls for finance, welfare and tax in a ‘devo max’ alternative to full Scottish independence in advance of next week’s referendum,
Speaking in Midlothian, he said: ‘A ‘no’ vote on 18 September will not be an end point, but the starting gun for action on 19 September when straight away we will kick of a plan to deliver the enhanced devolution that we want.’
In a timetable expected to be endorsed by the other main political parties, he pledged to have a white paper by the end of November and draft clauses for a new Scotland Bill by January 2015.
However, chief executive of local government think tank Localis, Alex Thomson has warned against assuming more powers for Scotland would lead to further English devolution.
He told The MJ: ‘While I am sure Devo Max will be seen as a rallying call for much greater devolution in England, and without wanting to be a killjoy, the fact remains that just because it’s going to happen in Scotland, it doesn’t mean something similar is automatically going to happen down here too.
‘Whichever way the vote goes, Scotland will get substantial new powers. While this will be of interest to many in England, it is those geographically closest to Scotland, in particular the northern cities, who are going to feel the strongest breeze from the wind of change blowing across the Highlands.’