Scotland to set her own benefit levels?
Look at the history of these things in Scotland, compared with that in England. The Poor Law was much harsher in Scotland, and contributions to it were never even compulsory.
Look at the places that vote for the SNP. Look at the places that don't.
The West of Scotland Left likes to present itself as Scotland's political norm. But it is not.
Shorn of any attempt to define Scotland against an England seen as Thatcherite and Blairite, and unrestrained by the England that really exists, the true Scottish norm would very rapidly reassert itself.
Social security benefits are people's entitlements as citizens. That is why they are the same throughout the United Kingdom.
It would be contrary to equal citizenship of this State, for benefits to be higher, or more easily obtainable, in Scotland than they were in England.
It would be contrary to equal citizenship of this State, for benefits to be higher, or more easily obtainable, in England than they were in Scotland.
If the provision existed, then the latter would be far more likely than the former.
There may yet be life in the Labour Left's and traditional Right's deep, deep, deep doubts about devolution.
Who's that, then?
ReplyDeleteThompson's political (rather than his longstanding music) column has appeared once since Fraser Nelson took in the NEET. Once.
Rod's has of course been in every week.
But on topic, please.
As you have often argued, the things like free eye and dental tests in Scotland, no prescription charges, no hospital car parking charges are an affront to equal citizenship but the answer is not to abolish them there, it is to introduce them in England.
ReplyDeletePrecisely so.
ReplyDelete