Anywhere but Edinburgh. Why Gordon Brown got all nimby about The British-Irish Council

Isle of Man - championed by Downing Street to stop Scotland

 British Irish Council has decided to base its secretariat in Edinburgh. You may have missed this - BBC Scotland thought a butcher in England selling python deserved far more attention on its evening news radio show, Drivetime, on Friday. There was no explanation on why the last Labour government at Westminster blocked the council from coming to Scotland, despite that being the wish of the majority of its members, who represent the governments of Northern Ireland, Eire, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Wales, Scotland and the UK. Nor will you find much analysis - anywhere - on why the new coalition government's change of heart is significant. There was a piece in the Evening News on the announcement being a local coup for The Lothians.  It ought to be a matter of considerable debate that Labour - the party claiming to speak for Scotland - spent much of its time blocking positive things that could reflect well on us. Remember how they held on to our share of the fossil fuel levy, which diverts a proportion of our oil and coal revenues to develop renewable energy? The Evening News story on the British Irish Council implies that the decision was blocked because Peter Hain, as Welsh Secretary, wanted it in Cardiff. In fact, the Welsh were willing to concede to Scotland, because it was the majority choice. Hain was following Gordon Brown's orders to prevent us getting it at all costs. Indeed, at one point he was so desperate to stop the jocks, he became the sole champion of the Isle of Man, to the bemusement of the Manx themselves.

Why does all this matter? Well The British Irish Council allows the governments of all the nations of these islands to communicate and discuss issues as equals. It therefore offers an important blueprint on how an future independent Scotland might co-operate with its near neighbours. Basing the secretariat here sends out an important message about Scotland as an equal partner in the council and the wider UK, and Edinburgh as a diplomatic destination. But Labour was terrified of giving credibility to the SNP government and, by extension, Scotland's status as a nation. Remember that they next time they claim be giving us a strong voice "within the UK".

Comments

[Mary White]

I find it rather amusing and bemusing that all of these "English nationalists" berate Scotland and Wales for seeking at least some degree of autonomy while whinging and wailing... And will do nothing beyond that to seek the same for themselves.

How many decades did it take of constant work and TWO referenda before Scotland even got its own parliament? So if they want their own parliament, how about they get out and WORK FOR IT instead of constantly complaining.

Many English, sad to say, constantly make racist remarks about the Celts supposedly "whinging" but can't hear how THEY sound to outsiders.

[GrassyKnollington]

Is it true that Gordon nearly had a visit from the plod over this as he was caught selling "Anywhere but Scotland" T-shirts?

[Hamish Scott]

Well said Joan.

This begs the question: how do we get the things the Scottish media ignore or distort into the awareness of the Scottish public?

[Davie Park]

Oh Eric, I had a quick look through the comments to the last few pieces by Joan and, other than a couple of negative comments on Billy Connolly, I'm struggling to see justification for your view that a lot of commenters on this site are "full of hate".
Did you just make that up then?

[Joan]

Hi Eric

Interesting that you didn't comment on the content of my post. Why would Gordon Brown want to block the siting of the HQ in Edinburgh. Don't you also think that is just as bit petty and pathetic? I never write anything I don't believe...and although I admire some in the Labour party - see more recent posting on Susan Deacon - the talent is drying up. I really do believe the party will always put its electoral interests across the UK before the interests of Scots. The previous administrations of Jack McConnell and Henry McLeish ran up against considerable hostility from Westminster "comrades" as I am sure you know. As for the blog, no abusive comments are allowed, though I do think some people get frustrated at the Scottish mainstream media's failure to reflect the balance of political opinion in this country. Having said all that, the most angry comments on this particular post come from English nationalists whom I have not censored even though they clearly don't like what I write.

[eric joyce]

I quite like reading you, Joan. But I'm struck by two things. First, at lot of folk who comment on your site seem like the same analogue ones who go onto the Scotsman and Herald sites. Full of hate. And second, I truly don't don't know why a decent writer and journalist would want to sound more on-message than a party hack. What's it all about?

[dramfrineday]

I have always wondered about Broon and the Labour party as to why they don't want Scotland to be a successful place. Could it be that once we got used to standing on our own two feet, generating additional income for the national pot, taking and making decisions, we would become less reliant on Central Gov and more likely to NOT vote labour? Keep them poor and dependant?

For those of you above who are concerned that we "celts" are a drag on England, the answer is simple - let us go. I'd be happy to take my 9% of UK assets and debts and leave you to it.

[Junius]

What on earth is the British Irish Council for heavens sake? What a ridiculous idea!

Another attempt to pretend that England doesn't exist. Sick to death of it Wyrdtimes? I am incandescent with rage.

Here's another one who while demanding everything for Scotland is quite happy to ignore the consitutional crisis right on her doorstep.

The so called Celts are going to wake up one morning and find that the English (all 50 million plus of them) are raging angry and right next door.

[Wardog]

Why are there no articles on the things that Labour have done to damage Scotland since the SNP came to power?

Why is the Scottish media so reluctant to analyse this.

[George]

Google

[Joan]

Of course England should have separate representaton but first we need to change the constitutional arrangements inside the UK

[Wyrdtimes]

"Well The British Irish Council allows the governments of all the nations of these islands to communicate and discuss issues as equals. "

Does it now? Really? Ah yes of course England isn't a nation is it? It's a post nation bunch of "regions".

No wonder so many English people are sick to death of the so called "United Kingdom".

Home rule for England.