Union blues

Again, I find that Jim Gallagher is talking in the abstract rather than in the context of the political and economic here and now (“Flying the Flag for Union”, Perspective, 10 September).

Mr Gallagher strikes a very similar tone to that of Gordon Brown when he has spoken about “pooling and sharing” in advocating social solidarity across the UK.

Unlike the former prime minister, however, he does see scope for the further development of devolution. Considering that the Scottish electorate been ahead of unionist politicians in that regard since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, it is progress of a sort.

But why should we entrust that project to Westminster politicians when we saw the Calman Commission labouring long and hard to produce the mouse which is the Scotland Act 2012?

Rarely has a piece of legislation been overtaken by events even before it reached the statute book.

Mr Gallagher suggests a quasi-federal solution to the UK as now constituted but gives no indication of how, politically, that can be achieved, particularly should there be a No vote next September.

Logically, too, if we are to applaud the advantages of an economic and social union, why not consider that in the context of a reformed. European Union? But perhaps that is a “pooling and sharing” too far.

In a politically and economically dysfunctional UK system which is institutionally resistant to reform we should perhaps be wary of promises of substantial change. It is less a question of the Greeks bearing gifts than the Greeks suggesting that 
they might be bearing gifts 
tomorrow.

(Cllr) Alasdair Rankin (SNP)

City Chambers

City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh