England has different needs, but the debate over combined authorities, mayors, bus franchising etc. often highlight to me a certain amount of flat footedness in Scottish politics in comparison. It may often be starting from a healthier place, but there seems to be no rush to galvanise change. - ThreadSky

akindofmusic.bsky.social • 43 days ago

England has different needs, but the debate over combined authorities, mayors, bus franchising etc. often highlight to me a certain amount of flat footedness in Scottish politics in comparison. It may often be starting from a healthier place, but there seems to be no rush to galvanise change.

Comments

silasmcg.bsky.social•43 days ago

The things that the Scottish government have been doing on welfare and tax are quite radical surely, no?

akindofmusic.bsky.social•43 days ago

I guess it depends, in the sense that many of the new Scottish DWP actions are often ameliorations of backsliding UK-wide by the Tories over the last 14yrs. Stuff like the baby boxes get me a lot more excited, but it's felt like there's been precious little of it lately (even just on paper).

silasmcg.bsky.social•43 days ago

I don't think that's true to say. There has never been a UK equivalent of the Scottish child payment, for example, and my understanding is that the new Scottish disability benefits were pretty much wholly redesigned. It's not just mitigating UK backsliding at all.

akindofmusic.bsky.social•43 days ago

Do new payments signify radicalism, though? Insomuch as are they bettering those people's position on where they might have been in 2010? The legislative agenda at Holyrood since I worked there for the SNP has been getting sparser over the years, and there does genuinely seem less to talk about.

akindofmusic.bsky.social•43 days ago

Holding the line on the tax differential with the rest of the UK has been important, but again I guess I look at the long abandoned talk of council tax reform etc. and just kinda question the change narrative. Put it this way – it doesn't feel like a golden age for the various structures that exist.

silasmcg.bsky.social•43 days ago

This seems a little simplistic. It's surely possible for a government to be radical in some areas and less so in others. Being less radical on local govt doesn't make their achievements in areas like childcare, welfare, or energy any less bold

akindofmusic.bsky.social•43 days ago

But, without being an activist or a member of a specific party, it's pretty natural and likely commonplace for someone like me to reflect on a party/government/national political vibe very much in the round. There's been quite a lot of polling/voting lately that shows an enthusiasm deficit.

silasmcg.bsky.social•43 days ago

I get that, to a degree. But in times of austerity and economic difficulty, with a largely fixed budget, there are limits to what can be done. I'd say (tho I am biased) that SG have done more and been bolder than they get credit for

akindofmusic.bsky.social•43 days ago

Like...the fact that SPT/Glasgow theoretically had powers to take over buses for years but Holyrood has only just activated that particular line in a bill passed in 2019, despite Manchester showing how long it takes, is the kinda small policy thing that gives off turgid, ripe for change vibes.

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply