SNP MSPs have called for Michael Gove to keep his hands off Scotland's powers.
The MSPs wrote a letter to the Tory Environment Secretary as Holyrood celebrates twenty years of devolution.
Speaking at the Tory conference in Aberdeen last week, Gove said that he wanted the UK Government to change the rules to wrestle control over spending on health, education and other powers held by the Scottish Parliament.
When asked about the planned “grubby” power grab at First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Nicola Sturgeon responded in unequivocal terms that the people of Scotland and their parliament in Edinburgh should make all decisions – and that the UK Government should butt out and stop using Brexit as a cover for Westminster centralisation.
SNP MSP Gail Ross described Gove's comments as "astounding".
She said: “These comments from Michael Gove were astounding, but also deeply deeply troubling.
“Twenty years since the Scottish Parliament was reconvened and the Tories are gearing up for a grubby power grab – looking to reverse the hard-fought gains of devolution.
“The Tories never wanted a Scottish Parliament in the first place and now they are trying to cut Holyrood’s powers.
“But the SNP has a clear message for the Tories: hands off Scotland’s parliament.
“On education, on health, on farming and our precious environment, Westminster shouldn’t be seeking to undermine Holyrood and seize control of public spending.
“While the Tories think they can do what they want to Scotland, we must be clear that Scotland won’t stand for it.
“Michael Gove should urgently clarify his remarks and rule out his anti-democratic power grab.
“Scotland’s future should lie in Scotland’s hands – building on the success of devolution, and winning the powers that our parliament still needs so we can thrive as an independent country.”
On May 14, Gove and Scottish Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing will give evidence in the final session of the Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry into the future of Scotland's agriculture.
After Brexit, the UK will cease to be bound by the rules of the Common Agricultural Policy, and a new UK wide framework agreement will need to be created to manage agricultural policy in the UK and the devolved nations.
The Committee has been exploring issues such as the consequences of agriculture powers returning from Brussels and the implications of the Agriculture Bill not giving powers to the Scottish Government.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel