Michael Fabricant warns UK Government not to fall into ‘big trap’ of overruling devolution
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant has warned the UK Government not to fall into the “big political trap” of using its powers to overrule devolution, warning that it could see an increase in support for independence.
The UK Government is said to be considering invoking section 35 of the Scotland Act, which allows him to prevent the Presiding Office of the Scottish Parliament from submitting legislation for Royal Assent.
That would be the first time in the history of devolution that a secretary of state has used that power, but could set a new precedent for greater UK interference in devolution in Scotland and Wales.
Michael Fabricant however warned that any attempts to block the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which passed by 86 voted to 39 in favour, would be a “big political trap” for the Conservatives.
“Only this time, we won’t just be helping Labour but the SNP and independence for Scotland too,” he said. “An own goal for the Unionists.”
‘Impact’
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sunak has said that it would be “completely reasonable” for the UK Government to consider blocking the act.
“Lots of people have got concerns about this new Bill in Scotland, about the impact it will have on women’s and children’s safety,” he said.
“So I think it is completely reasonable for the UK Government to have a look at it, understand what the consequences are for women and children’s safety in the rest of the UK, and then decide on what the appropriate course of action is.”
But former Prime Minister Theresa May argued that similar reforms should be rolled out across England instead.
“The very fact that I put the proposal forward shows that that was something that I thought was important to do, particularly to take some of the medical aspects out of this,” she told the BBC.
She added: “Obviously, there’s a different system in Scotland, but I think it is important when any part of the UK is looking at legislation that only affects that part of the UK, that thought is given to what the impact would be on the Union.
“But at the end of the day it is about people, and it’s about the impact it would have on people.”
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I’m caught in a paradox here.
On the one hand, he is actually talking sense.
On the other hand, nobody should ever listen to anything that anyone with that absurd rug on their head says.
The guy is a complete ar5e….but fair play to anyone who can grow a mop of hair like that, at his age! Da iawn Butt!!!
Wise words Wiggy but be quiet now because they are doing wonderful work in recruiting indy supporters.
Who cares about what Michael Fabricant thinks?
He is not worth the energy of anger.
Why don’t the people of Wales and Scotland ever realise the term UK is only there so that England can interfere without the people of those nations realising it. There is no such thing as a UK Parliament, it’s England’s parliament masquerading as UK, or Worse still…”British”.
In 2010 the so-called Welsh devolution “respect agenda” soundbite was coined by then Tory PM David Cameron & Lib Dem Deputy PM Nick Clegg in coalition, and ever since Brexit vote and rise of that populist clown Boris Johnson the understanding between Whitehall & Senedd has been trashed when the Conservatives trampled over our right to self-government. The Tories not only stole our EU Brexit powers that were due to be repatriated back to Wales when we left the EU. Those powers taken were part of areas already devolved and should have come to Wales not Westminster. And according to… Read more »
When Michael Fabricant is the voice of reason, you know you have fallen down the rabbit-hole into blunderland.
Mop head is right to be concerned but regardless of where you stand on the issue the ruling has nothing to do with the UK government – it is a devolved matter. In saying that, please jump in, dictate, stop the law, kick devolution in the teeth. It will lead to the break up of the UK quicker and ultimately allow us to make future laws unhindered.
Is this the same UK government that gave us Brexit in order for Brussels to stop meddling in our affairs?
I hate Fabricant but I agree with him on this point. The Gender Recognition Bill is no doubt controversial, but it is a matter for Scotland to decide & not London.
If London interferes then Scots including those who oppose this bill will back the Scottish government and not the UK government.