THE SNP have accused the Conservatives of having “absolutely no shame”, ahead of a speech today in which David Mundell will call for further local devolution in Scotland.
Tory MP Mundell has been branded a “hypocrite” for saying devolution of powers from central government is crucial as he prepares to set out his vision for how Scotland should be run.
In his speech Mundell will claim the UK Government’s Northern Powerhouse scheme to devolve further powers to cities and regions is “breaking new ground” and Scotland cannot afford to be left behind.
Scotland’s sole Tory MP Mundell will also call for local authorities to have more control over areas such as health, transport and policing.
The SNP were quick to hit back in advance of the Scotland Secretary’s speech though, saying Mundell has “snubbed every attempt to devolve more powers and create and protect jobs” during the Scotland Bill negotiations.
A spokesperson for the SNP said: “The Tories have absolutely no shame. Given that David Mundell snubbed every attempt to devolve more powers to create and protect jobs and lift people out of poverty during the Scotland Bill process, his calls now are insincere and hypocritical.
“Given that David Mundell couldn’t even deliver the Smith Commissions proposals in full, people in Scotland are unlikely to take any lessons from the Tories on devolution,” the spokesperson added.
In his speech today, Mundell will say that if Holyrood does not step up the people of Scotland’s towns and cities will risk being left behind, adding that he believes it is now the time to have a proper debate over the future of the Scottish Government.
The Tory MP will also claim last year’s referendum campaign had been divisive, drowning out debate about power and responsibility, before adding that the Scottish Government can no longer use Independence as an excuse. “There is a revolution going on in local government across the rest of the United Kingdom, with local areas regaining power and responsibility at an unprecedented rate.
Scotland cannot afford to be left behind,” Mundell will say. “The interminable debate about Scotland’s constitutional place within the UK has drowned out debate about how power and responsibility is distributed within Scotland. The referendum was decisive and an obsession with independence can no longer be an excuse to ignore this issue.
“There is now a real risk that Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, and indeed the towns and counties of Scotland as a whole will be left behind – stuck in a 1990s time-warp of centralised, Holyrood-dominance.”
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