What price devolution? The ‘West Lothian question’, whether Scottish MP’s in Westminster should have the right to vote on legislation that only affects England, has yet to be satisfactorily answered.
But the controversy sparked by a member of the Scottish parliament with a petulant bee in his bonnet about wanting to do away with rewarding excellence in medical practice, saw Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish health secretary quoted as saying: “CEAs are outdated and should be reformed on a four-country basis to avoid undermining the competitiveness of any one country when recruiting consultants.”
I simply cannot follow that logic. Why is it then that Scotland has decided social care should be free in that country, but not advocated it on a “four country” basis? Why is it that Wales has abandoned car parking charges whilst others in the UK are forced to pay punitive fees to visit their local hospital? Is that really fair on a “four country basis”?
And, incidentally, why is it that Wales decided to amend the “old” contract rather than adopt the one in place in the other three countries - albeit with minor differences? Many in the other three countries are now wishing they could do the same. Even though the Wales contact is not perfect, it is less open to the flagrant abuses that are being seen elsewhere in the UK.
Either a policy that is good enough for one country should be applied across the UK - or we have genuine devolution where devolved parliaments do what they believe is right for that country and, crucially, be accountable to those they represent for whatever legislation they introduce.
Come on! Politicians can’t have it both ways! If the Scottish health secretary really wants to antagonise consultants in Scotland then that is her decision - and risk the consequences. But to hide behind the cloak of saying that to do so would undermine the competitiveness of her own country, and should therefore be a UK initiative, makes the concept of devolution a mockery.
If Nicola Sturgeon really believes she is onto a winner then that is her decision, but why should England, Wales and Northern Ireland carry her political risk?
