HE is variously described by people who have had direct experience and contact with him as being deceitful, unscrupulous, scheming and dangerous, but the most frequent comment is about his dishonesty. He is said to be “deserving an Oscar for straight-faced lying”. Unfortunately, we can safely predict that the UK government post that Michael Gove has been reshuffled into this week will give him every opportunity to further deploy these characteristics.
Gove’s move to become Westminster Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will put him in charge of spending around £4.6 billion a year on the UK Shared Prosperity Funds through the UK Community Renewal Fund, the Community Ownership Fund and the Levelling Up Fund. The Scottish component of this funding comes from Scotland’s former contribution to EU structural funds, which formerly came back through the Scottish Government. This was a devolved power and process grabbed back by the UK.
As Westminster Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Michael Gove “will make the decisions on what will be funded and will work along with the Secretary of State for Scotland and local partners”.
This is where the UK Government will work to replace and undermine the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government through establishing direct relationships with “Councils, voluntary and community sector organisations and local education providers such as universities”.
As the UK Government guidance says of the areas Michael Gove will control – “The UK Ministry will then formalise agreements with each of the Scottish local authorities, including the arrangements for information sharing, monitoring and an evaluation network”.
The Technical Note for Lead Authorities in Great Britain also refers to “spot checks” on them by the UK Government and a requirement for “reports to be sent by them to the UK Secretary of State” now Michael Gove. This regulatory role will no doubt become a function for the increasing army of civil servants based in Queen Elizabeth House (the UK “hub” in Edinburgh) and the Glasgow hub.
This is one aspect of the new reality deliberately designed and intended by the UK Internal Market Act 2020, which the UK Government now says “paves the way for a new relationship between the UK government and local partners” and provides “a new way of working between UK Government and places”.
Part of the funding deal with local partners and places is of course that, “All project deliverers must ensure that the appropriate UK Government logo is used prominently in all communications materials and public facing documents relating to project activity – including print and publications, through to digital and electronic materials”.
The Guidance Note also says that “Advice on bid assessment will be sought from officials from other government departments and devolved administrations if relevant, e.g. to advise on bids in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland”. But, there can be absolutely no doubt that the Brexit and Covid pandemic experience of non-consultation will continue. We will only hear the squeak of Douglas Ross and his Tory colleagues saying “how high?” when Michael Gove says “Jump!”.
The Tory hypocrisy will continue about the Scottish Government needing to focus on the day job and an independence referendum being unthinkable during the pandemic and recovery.
Meanwhile Scotland’s Tory second government, unelected and unaccountable in Scotland, will continue to work under the radar to bribe people in Scotland through organisations across the country.
Our only safe route out is through a referendum and independence – let them come soon.
Andrew Reid
Comrie, Perthshire
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel