His position as an adviser was more than decorative and he will be a loss. But as someone or other once put it, there is no alternative.
They’ve fumbled a strong unionist position into a serious setback. Let it at least provoke a long-overdue shake-up in capital-U Unionist thinking.
“People in Scotland deserve a First Minister who is focused on their priorities – raising standards in education, taking care of the health service, reforming criminal justice.”
Also: Jones wants to turn Britain into a ‘mini-EU’; Ulster goes to the polls tomorrow; and Khan lands himself in hot water with Scottish nationalists.
Also: May ‘intensifies’ work with devolved leaders on Brexit; Brokenshire attacks one-sided Troubles inquiries; Scottish Labour will ‘never’ back another referendum; and more.
Whether by accident or design, the Government’s appeal has led the Supreme Court to kill off two potential threats to Brexit.
But the need for long term reform of the system will not go away.
Also: Davidson attacks SNP’s efforts to deepen divisions over Brexit; and the Welsh Conservatives criticise Labour’s bid to overturn new trade union laws.
Also: Labour slumps to lowest levels in Welsh polls since last days of Brown’s premiership; and Scottish Tories accuse SNP of a ‘wasted decade’.
Beneath the headlines the Scottish Secretary’s statements were entirely consistent with the Prime Minister’s muscularly unionist approach.
Also: Brokenshire pledges to focus on victims of republicans; Welsh Tories attack Jones’ record of failure; SNP accused of wasting over £940m; and more.
Wales has held the dubious accolade of the worst education system in the UK for a decade.
She’s only been in power for a few months but there have already been ten notable policy changes.
Also: Mundell calls for devolution within Scotland; and Hammond praises the Ulster economy.
The report I have been working on over the past year will provide the Government with a clear strategy to help tackle rough sleeping.