There is nothing to stop the Scottish Nationalists, or their sympathisers, producing policy privately, or supporting think-tanks to do so on their behalf. But they should pay for such work out of their own funds. (If they can find them.)
The A list and its successors haven’t kept a golden generation out of Parliament. Many of those who might have made it up aren’t putting themselves forward for selection in the first place.
In the meantime, the Scottish Conservatives are gearing up to go on the offensive.
Recently, we reformed the West Midlands Tourism and Hospitality Advisory Board, which speaks on behalf of the sector.
The First Minister reportedly told mutinous colleagues to quit the party if they weren’t prepared to support his predecessor.
“One of the things the SNP profited from is that when Labour set up the Scottish Parliament, they didn’t send any of their A-listers there.”
Having run as her heir, he seems unable or unwilling to put enough distance between his regime and hers if the fraud investigation blows up.
The conference exhibited scepticism about levelling up and widespread enthusiasm for devolution – but less cognisance of the trade-offs it entails.
The Government has once again taken on the Nationalists and, contra 25 years of devolutionary received wisdom, won the day.
Jamie Driscoll, the serving Mayor of North Tyne, did not make the longlist for the North East mayoralty.
It is not a coincidence that the only bits of England he omits from his coalition of “progressive values” are those that are net contributors to the Exchequer.
Also: DUP and Heaton-Harris in staring match over extra funding as Rishi Sunak rules out coalition with the Unionists at Westminster.
“Because all the reforms you guys passed already have panned out really well over the past 20 years, haven’t they.”
The localist idea that decisions should be taken as close to the people they affect as possible, has been undermined by the Mayor of London’s failings.
Far better that councils do all they can locally – raise taxes locally to deal with crime, health, education, and the rest – and leave national governments to deal with national issues.