Poll Results, the BBC and the Scottish Government

Surprising result from the 'Has Devolution Delivered for Scotland' Poll which has been running in the side bar for a couple of weeks. Total votes cast were 239.

Of the total votes 43% think devolution is a waste of money and the other answers are spread quite evenly amongst the remaining 47%.

The surprise for me is the number who say devolution is a waste of money and has not delivered. Perhaps that question should have been in two parts because it could be some people think devolution should never have happened and those who feel it has been a total let-down. I don't see much change in people's opinion since devolution was introduced. Having our own parliament hasn't made any difference to those who didn't want it in the first place but it has given hope, (perhaps falsely), to those who consider Scotland should become an independent nation.

Thanks to all who took part. It would seem devolution is delivering - but only just.

This morning Outlander provides much needed criticism of the BBC. Just the other day I heard the end of a radio interview with a heid bummer of the BBC and he admitted Scotland was very short changed. His solution? Nothing. I too firmly believe the Scottish government must take action and now - not tomorrow, next month or next year. Outlander has provided the solutions but will the SNP listen?

Let's see if the Scottish government can stop committing political suicide. Alex widens the debate about the unionist media's manipulation of Scottish politics. His example is perfect. Anyone going into a newsagent this morning will see a picture of John Swinney beside the headline 'Scotland braced for winter of discontent' and automatically the strapline and John Swinney will be mentally associated. Job done. It's that easy. Do have a read of Alex's post because we need to know what kind of thinking the SNP is doing: devolved or independent.

Update 11.40am: Ian Hamilton chips in with his tuppence worth. He too expresses some of my thoughts. Will anyone in the SNP start listening or are we talking to the heather?

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Devolution

The Scottish Parliament

Three Westminster committees are to audit the impact of devolution on education, health and justice to find out whether it has delivered for people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The select committees for the three Celtic nations will gather results in these devolved areas to see how they rate among the best in the world.

Many MPs consider devolution has not always delivered better outcomes in important services and the investigations could be embarrassing for MSPs and their Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts and raise questions about the point of devolving power beyond being more democratic.

One major study carried out by the Centre for Public Policy for the Regions in 2009 suggested school results in Scotland had flatlined since devolution, despite up to 20% more being spent on education compared with England and Wales.

It's understood the proposal to assess devolved public services has come from Scottish Labour MPs and is to be put to the new Scottish affairs select committee by its chairman, Glasgow South West MP Ian Davidson. Mr Davidson as been asking for comparative figures for some years in his roles on the public accounts and Scottish affairs committees and is keen to proceed with a series of inquiries and studies.

Surely the data is already in the public domain and only needs collating, rather than money spent on inquiries and studies or is there an ulterior motive?

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