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Scotland
Libby Brooks, Scotland correspondent
The pandemic has exposed deep rifts between Westminster and decentralized administrations, with the Scottish and Welsh governments expressing growing frustration over the collapse of the much vaunted ‘four-nation approach’, lack of direct communication and recent uncertainty over whether the license extend beyond England.
Observers say the pandemic has opened many eyes in Westminster to the extent of powers delegated nations already have, but has equally prompted the Scottish National Party government to call for its extension, particularly on financial levers. In July, Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused Boris Johnson of using Covid as “a political weapon” when he used his first visit to Scotland since the general election to convey a message that the UK’s response to the virus exemplified the ” pure power ”From the union.
The UK internal market bill has also drawn harsh criticism from the Holyrood government since it was published in early September, with Sturgeon describing the post-Brexit plans as “an abomination that would cripple devolution.”
While the SNP continues to oppose all aspects of Brexit, lately the party has focused on these proposals, which include a mutual recognition regime, which requires regulatory standards in one part of the UK to be automatically accepted in others, and which Sturgeon has argued would spell a race to the bottom for food standards and environmental protections. In October, in what remains a symbolic vote, Holyrood MSPs rejected the bill.
On a more personal level, Johnson struggles with minimal approval ratings in Scotland, compared to strong public confidence in the Scottish government’s handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Welsh
You areand Morris
The relationship between the Welsh government and Johnson has often been strained during the coronavirus crisis. The prime minister’s return statements, in which he described the return as “a disaster north of the border,” have made it much, much worse.
Welsh ministers are often thoughtful and measured when discussing devolution and union issues; After all, the Labor-led government supports both concepts, but has reacted angrily to Johnson’s comments.
Welsh General Councilor and Minister for European Transition Jeremy Miles said: “The Prime Minister’s comments are shocking but sadly not surprising. It has been clear for some time that this Conservative government is not remotely interested in honoring UK-wide repayment agreements. “
Welsh Prime Minister Mark Drakeford has repeatedly expressed frustration at the lack of regular dialogue between the two governments during the Covid crisis and was enraged when Johnson refused to act to prevent people from traveling from critical areas in England to Welsh.
There is also great tension between governments over the internal market bill, which the Welsh government has described as “a scandalous takeover” that “seriously jeopardizes the repayment agreement.”
However, Drakeford is a strong supporter of the union and has continued to argue that, at least so far, the return has worked, saying that the Covid crisis has shown that Wales has powers that allow it to act independently.
But there is no doubt that Johnson’s remarks will give the Nationalists additional firepower. Adam Price, the leader of Plaid Cymru, which supports independence, said Wales’s “biggest mistake” was that it had not yet left the union.
The independence campaign group YesCymru, whose membership is growing, said: “People in Wales are realizing the fact that the UK is about to end. The question for everyone in Wales, regardless of politics, is what will happen to Wales when Scotland leaves? Independence or incorporation into England? The return will not be kept. “
North Ireland
Rory Carroll, correspondent in Ireland
Northern Ireland is a political minefield for Downing Street because of Brexit, Joe Biden, a dysfunctional Stormont executive and the problems of the unsolved “legacy” of the Troubles.
As of January 1, Northern Ireland protocol will require customs declarations and other checks on all goods from Great Britain. Business leaders have warned that trade across the Irish Sea could stall.
It is feared that many companies will not be able to cope with the mandatory paperwork for sales in Northern Ireland.
Such a disruption would torpedo Johnson’s promise of frictionless trade. Their apparent solution, legislation to overturn the Brexit deal in Northern Ireland, could lead to a hard border with the Republic of Ireland. This would dismay the president-elect of the United States and the Democrats in Congress. Biden warned the prime minister that if he undermines the Good Friday deal, he can forget about a trade deal with Washington.
Stormont’s power-sharing government is wearing thin over divisions over Brexit and Covid-19 restrictions. Sinn Féin wants a referendum on Irish unity and none of the parties, least of all its former allies, the Democratic Unionist Party, trusts Johnson. A combustible mixture.
The prime minister has alienated almost all parties with a plan to permanently close cases of serious crimes committed during the riots. Parliamentarians said the plan lacked credibility and legitimacy and raised deep legal, ethical and human rights issues.
North of England and Andy Burnham
Nazia Parveen, Northern England Correspondent
Recent fractured negotiations between the government and regional leaders have put devolution back on the agenda in the north. Just a few weeks ago, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership renewed its call for a stronger decentralized voice for the Northeast, and other Northern leaders also extolled the benefits of localized decision-making in an effort to seize power from Whitehall.
A public dispute followed between Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who was labeled “King of the North” when he highlighted the unfair treatment of the northern regions during the pandemic.
Burnham described Johnson’s recent comments as worrisome and called for the country to adopt a more federal model of government, and for Greater Manchester to become “masters of their own destiny.”
“The time has come for a more federal UK where we take more power out of Westminster, bring it closer to the people and I think that in the long run it will strengthen the country and build a better way of doing politics,” he said.
Bob Buxton, the Yorkshire party leader, said Johnson’s comments highlighted Westminster’s desire to maintain tight control over the UK. Founded in 2014, Buxton’s party is campaigning for the establishment of a delegated Yorkshire assembly with powers over education, environment, transport and housing.
“The Prime Minister’s comments … show his true attitudes and fears: he believes that Yorkshire would not vote for the Conservatives and that is why he holds power in London,” Buxton said.
