Wilson was urged about Devolution gamble

Economist · Wilson was urged about Devolution gamble

http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/77686.html

Further shows what we all know about the half truths over the last 30 years. Interesting about the referendum bit. Seems that the Constitutional Unit grasps something that a lot of unionists fail to do in Scotland - that votes for individual political parties do not equate to votes for or against independence. Even back in the 1970's they weren't confident of getting a majority in Scotland to back the union (and went so far as to warn against it) - must be less so now.

skip

Interesting stuff. I wasnt born then but I have an idea in my head that the snp would have been an enthusiastic bandwagon - but naive at the deals in smokefilled rooms and political dirty tricks. It kind of shows what we were up against and how wilson and thatch sought to subdue the nationalist movement and took advice on the matter.

i wonder what they are writing about the present day and what advice was written concerning the 1997 referendum and cooperation with the snp. I wonder for example if any civil servant was brave enough to predict a conservative wipeout in scotland and cross-party support for a yes vote.

Perhaps now we will find that freedom of information stops them from saying what they really think - it may be that FOI helps to put an end of 'group think' or 'seige mentality' that grips the corridors of power. If all correspondence is subject to FOI requests then at least the independent civil service should not be going around natbashing or briefing against snp, exaggerating figures, etc. Whereas in the past they could brief what they like to sympathetic ears and everyone seemingly agrees to repel the snp threat.

i think/hope nowadays there is less fear of nationalism or at least that whitehall officialdom cannot organise itself so readily against nationalism (checks and balances and FOI should really keep them to their job and not on any party political payroll)... and post-devolution there may be those at whitehall who would be satisfied if england would start to desire its own parliament.

I wonder what else is to follow. Usually, this time of year harbours some stories of nuclear mismanagement coverups at dounray and elsewhere.... and the odd quirky story. would be nice if there was a warning raised over a young scottish upstart known as jack mcconnell - something similar was written about jack straw a few years back. Laughing

Maol.Chaluim

When the McCrome Report was released in accordance with the 30 year rule, some documents were locked for a further 20 years.