MUCH was made in the Unionist press of Kier Starmer’s speech last month in which he came up with another version of the Vow.
The Labour leader promised a new phase of devolution and said he wanted to “push as much power as possible away from Westminster”.
The views of ordinary Yessers do not often land on the desk of Starmer, so we’re pleased to report that Yes Forth, made up of Falkirk for Independence, Yes Grangemouth, Denny and Dunipace Independence Group, Butterflies Rising, Yes Stirling, Still Yes Clacks and Yes Clackmannanshire, sent their considered response to the Labour leader.
They said: “You propose now a package of new powers for Scotland, and greater devolution. This was promised in the Vow of 2014, crafted and described by your erstwhile leader and prime minister Gordon Brown, as ‘the nearest thing to Home Rule’, to which your party and the leaders of the coalition pledged support.
“Only minimal, relatively minor new powers, however, were delivered. In particular, the promise that the Sewel Convention would become law that could not be overruled has recently been proven null and void ... while many powers devolved in 1999 are being repatriated to Westminster.
“Your party, previously so trusted in Scotland, at that time made no effort to ensure that this Vow was honoured. No doubt you yourself honestly believe that your proposals can save the Union, but we in Scotland have been here before. No doubt you feel that circumstances have changed. Indeed they have, which is why we have realised that it was wrong to have had faith in the integrity of promises in 2014.
“Had these been delivered, there is no doubt that those seeking independence would have, however reluctantly, accepted and tried to live with the result. That this has not happened is entirely due to the duplicity of those who signed up to the Vow.
“Your proposals now would have carried more weight if your party and fellow Unionists at that time had honoured their promises. Moreover, in the very recent past, it would have been a marker of your sincerity and commitment if you had whipped your party to vote against those parts of the Internal Market Bill which undermine the Holyrood Parliament and remove to Westminster powers from the EU which should, under the terms of devolution, return to Scotland, and to vote for the relevant Lords’ amendments.
“That you did not clearly negates the sincerity of your proposals. Indeed, that you are putting your trust in the architect of the Vow, Gordon Brown, to re-run these broken promises, reveals only the poverty of your understanding of Scotland.”
Perhaps more should be sent.
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