 | 'One of the contenders for the leadership, John Redwood, was in Scotland theother day, surrounded by Bill Walker. The Vulcan meets The Clingon, Nightmarein Perth High Street. I think we know what credence to any Scottish opinionwould be given by Mr Redwood.' Brian Meek in the Herald 29 th May 1997 |  |
After the inconclusive referendum the number of Scottish Conservatives willing to put their heads above the parapet shrank dramatically. Yet we fought on. Aided and abetted by Struan Stevenson I actually managed to persuade a Tory conference in Perth to debate the issue. To make sure there was no deviation from the official line the hierarchy arranged for Lord Mackay, the future Lord Chancellor no less, to pronounce his verdict before the vote was taken. The sentence clear. Devolution was pronounced dead by an almost unanimous vote of the jury.
A few years later Struan, pursuing a Parliamentary seat, decided to repent. I did not blame him for doing so and he remains a friend. It felt, though, a bit like the chap who suffers from BO - except everybody was prepared to tell me my ideas stank.
It would have been easy, not to say in my own interest, to swallow the medicine and line up with the antis. I did not do so - not because I am particularly brave. Stubborn, yes. "The trouble with you, boy," my history master was wont to observe, "is that you want an explanation for everything." I would like someone to convince me why having a Parliament in Edinburgh would mean the end of civilisation as we know it. No-one has.
Yet the main reason I would not capitulate is that I knew that to do so would be letting down a huge number of people. There are a sizeable minority of Conservative voters who are in favour of devolution. I feel that I represent them.
Mrs Dorothy Shaw wrote to me from Prestwick last week. "I agree wholeheartedly with your comment (on Conservative Party policy) and hope the powers that be will take notice." This fine lady is the widow of Wilson Shaw; you don't disappoint someone whose husband captained Scotland to the Triple Crown in 1938.
So what has this to do with you, Secretary of State? Just this. I have to tell you if the proposals in your Devolution Bill mirror those set out by the Constitutional Convention then I will be forced - reluctantly - to vote "no" in any referendum.
There are three reasons for this. First, the proposed system of voting. The "list" form of proportional representation is inappropriate to elect a Scottish Parliament. It removes power from the people and places it in the hands of party bosses. That is an affront to democracy. Don't take my opinion. Ask Vernon Bogdanor, professor of government at Oxford University and one of the most respected constitutional experts in the land. He thinks it unacceptable.
Then there is the crucial question of funding. For some reason - because you want to retain control? - you want this Parliament to be funded by direct grant from Westminster. Further, you wish the Edinburgh body to have tax-raising powers but not use them.
Donald, local government finance is plagued by the fact that councils raise only 14% of their own finance. Do not impose an even worse system on the new Parliament.
Why do we not raise all the money in Scotland, thus making those who will spend it truly responsible for their decisions? No, that will not mean independence - not as long as we give responsibility to Westminster for macroeconomics, defence, Europe, and foreign affairs. Actually it might even take the wind out of the Nats, something we would both like to see; if they win a lot of seats in your parish- council parliament they will cause nothing but trouble.
Finally, you really must face the question of Scottish representation at Westminster. We cannot run our own show and demand 72 MPs as well. I am certain every Conservative candidate in England at the next General Election will promise a reduction in Scottish members. That is already Liberal Democrat policy and it is a perfectly logical one. You could stand the loss of some of the deadwood.
Yes, I know you can bulldoze and guillotine the Bill through the Commons. The Lords can no doubt be bludgeoned into submission. It is not going to look good, though, is it? And Tony likes to look good.
I remember you telling me once that you were probably the only boy at Glasgow Acad- emy who was an active Labour supporter. That has often been recalled by me as I have taken the devolution road in the Tory Party. If I can't vote "yes", how many Conservatives will be able to? Think about it.
Yours, in trouble as usual, Brian. - June 5
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