The Bewilderness

Accounting for Scotland in a new settlement

David Cameron has decided that, in the event of Scotland voting against independence, a new constitutional convention will be established to examine the instabilities (and injustices) that affect the current structure. Any political party that does not derive partisan advantage from the current set-up would recognise that 'bilateral devolution' is limited and would wish to rebalance the powers of devolved assemblies and Westminster.

Johann Lamont, the Scottish Labour leader, told the MPs devolution is not a “human shield against nationalism” and a further transfer of powers should be considered completely separately from Scotland remaining part of the UK

The Telegraph reports that the convention is being established against the backdrop of the SNP devolved government. Its aims are to define a unitary state and what can be undertaken by national or provincial administrations and municipal authorities. An attempt to deal with the West Lothian question will also be undertaken.

One concern is that Cameron prefers the convention to acquire a permanent existence: acting as an arbiter for the Constitution. That should reside with the law courts, a proper Supreme Court for the entire land. It marks a further step towards the adoption of Montesquieu, the world following the book. 

 

One Nation under Ed

Looking at utterances from a minor member of the Labour Shadow Cabinet can give us a better insight into the attitudes of the party as a whole. Shadow Welsh Secretary Owen Smith was interviewed by Welsh Online for the Labour conference. Two themes underline his statements: a divisive and political arrogance reinforcing a belief that they represent a collective notion of the people (even if this is not what the people actually want). Add a reference to plebs (since toffs is becoming a tired trope and does not fit the 'One Nation' idea).

Owen Smith wants more devolution for Wales (though this seems a token effort) and one assumes that the primary model of decentralised assembly, Labour dominance is preferred here. His main message was about the unity of working people and that only Labour's values could represent the country. This echoes the similar presumptive arrogance of New Labour who packaged themselves as the political wing of the British people, a rhetoric converging upon national socialist and fascist regimes of the nineteen-thirties. It is also ill-at ease with the complex and fractured politics now at play in the country.

Unable to corral this landscape, Labour is infantilising itself with wooden messages of unity and arrogating moral lanscapes that reflect some halcyon past. Owen Smith calls for a real weekend and the repeal of Sunday trading laws. Yet, when the law was relaxed, most people aimed for the supermarkets and used the time as they saw fit. Such economic liberties, "markets crowding moral arguments out of politics", are anathema to those who wish to impose their values upon us. In fact, politicians have crowded out markets through their uncontrolled spending and have allowed many to experience the increased value of free time through rising unemployment and regulations that destroy jobs. 

We will all certainly have more free time and less choice as One Nation under Ed.

Europe will flush Cameron out of the long grass

Following the call by Barroso for a new European treaty that would lead to further integration amongst all Member States (and not just the Eurozone), both Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande have supported the calls for further discussions. This does not mean that the ruling governments of France or Germany are motivated by the same ideological goals, facing the same pressures and campaigning for the same outcomes. Nevertheless, in examining the urgency of the Eurozone's breakdown, both countries are clear that greater integration, even a form of federation, is required. Angela Merkel will be regarded as the woman who abandoned the Basic Law, unless the Germans vote "No" (not unlikely).

Arguments currently debate the level of debt mutualisation, the regulation of financial institutions and whether integration should be restricted to the Eurozone or encompass all member states. The proposals endorse both fiscal integration within the Eurozone and centralised debt oversight across the entire political union. Most of these discussions take place within the Future of Europe group (involving both intra- and extra-Eurozone Member States). Although most of these debates have not shifted towards an endorsement of federalism, there is a hunger for an extension of qualified majority voting and a further process of integration to enhance the EU's voice of the world (Vox grandstandia pompositia).

Naturally, with negotiations due to start as soon as possible under the crucifix of the crisis, Cameron's long grass game past the next election appears vulnerable to the ambitions of the European political class. European hunters will flush their British game and force him to make a decision.

The banality of Hobsbawm.

Listening to Newsnight deliver an encomium on Hobsbawn (the death of). They seem to be creating a distinction between history and ideology (that old problem with the left - he may have liked mass murder but the histories were still pretty good). Hobsbawm is the perfect example for the analysis of why some can overlook the banality of evil in allegiance to some alleged greater good. 

The joys of the collective class consciousness: everything is forgiven and forgotten