Devolution a dynamic, not an event - debate must
cover all options
by John Stevenson
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Mike Kirby
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While welcoming the Scottish Government's ‘National
Conversation' on Scotland's future, the STUC will
take a lead in calling for a broader Constitutional
Convention - like the one that led to the Parliament
in the first place - to try to build the greatest
consensus between political parties and civic society.
Civil Service union leader Eddie Reilly
warned that there was no longer a "settled will
of the Scottish people" in terms of how they
should be governed and all options had to be up for
debate.
This was backed by UNISON Scottish Convenor
Mike Kirby. "Devolution is a dynamic, not an
event", he said. "There is mounting evidence
of an appetite for change wherever your starting point
is in this debate."
"For UNISON, we have a current
policy of opposition to separation and we would make
that argument. But we would also encourage review
and debate after 10 years."
"What is clear is that the success
of the 1997 referendum demonstrated that real constitutional
progress can only be achieved when parties work together",
added Mike.
"But it is too important to leave
that to politicians. We need the full engagement of
civic society".
Mike stressed the differing views on
issues like fiscal autonomy. This was a key issue
because UNISON members' jobs were funded by the public
sector.
"We would have to ensure that fiscal
powers - with a complex mix of various forms of taxation
and benefits - would deliver the public services we
demand", warned Mike.
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