Also: AMs vote to publish inquiry into whether Jones leaked Sargeant’s sacking; Davidson announces Tory push to form Scottish Government; and more.
The Prime Minister, despite her personal unionism, is setting a course for stormy constitutional waters. It will fall to her successors to navigate them.
As 2017 draws to a close, the United Kingdom is in better shape than many of its supporters had dared to hope.
Both of the national parties are built around different attitudes to economic policy, and the Scottish Parliament’s new responsibilities will force tough choices on the SNP.
Also: Welsh Labour abandon investigation into Sargeant as Jones faces fresh accusations; and Mundell suggests a dangerous retreat on EU powers.
It’s unimaginable that Westminster would have acted towards Scotland as Madrid has acted towards Catalonia.
Also: Welsh Government want you to tell them how they can tax you into a better person; donor transparency for Ulster; and SNP shielded from EU fine by London.
Also: Green candidate mounts legal challenge to Conservative/DUP deal; and Adams comes as close to admitting Brexit hasn’t sold unionists on breaking with Britain.
The Supreme Court recently made it very clear that the courtesies built into devolution do not diminish the sovereignty of Parliament.
Also: latest Life and Times survey finds no surge in support for separation in Northern Ireland; and Ian Duncan joins the Government amidst controversy.
Labour’s deal with the LibDems to introduce STV to Scotland’s local elections has led to instability, confusion and a bad deal for the taxpayer.
There is much more to politics than an affordable state and competitive taxes. But both will be indispensible for survival, let alone prosperity, after we leave the EU.
Some might like to table amendments to instantly delete bad EU regulations. But that would be a gift to those who seek to disrupt Brexit.
The seat of our national politics is deeply unfashionable in constitutional circles, but is essential to a well-governed and united kingdom.
Any result which sees the election of more than 45 nationalists will raise some awkward questions for May as she forms her new government.