The interesting thing about the PM devolution comments is that it appears to be part of a pattern-we’ve seen similar hints in recent months (via sympathetic press articles and the like) that some in Downing St blame the devolution settlement for the Union’s malaise.
Though there is truth that in some ways, the incomplete devolution settlement creates the conditions for separatism and embeds tension between different parts of the UK, from a unionist point of view, attacking the principle of that settlement at source will be counter productive
Either the settlement has to be stabilised and reformed, with new constitutional thinking and structures, or you have to look closer to home. The freshest political instability around the Union has (predictably) arisen post Brexit referendum. Blair can hardly be blamed for that.
It’s also an ahistorical view of why the devolution settlement came about. Blair didn’t do it on a whim- it was the result of decades’ worth of political pressure and rising Scottish discontent with the way the Union operated.
Given that the constituency for the abolition of the Scot Parliament is vanishingly small, unionism’s future lies in reform of the Devolution Settlement (which probably means more not fewer powers). But gripes about the settlement’s origins will do its cause little good.
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BREAK: @Keir_Starmer has decided not to restore the whip to Jeremy Corbyn, despite his Labour Party membership being restored.
Starmer: “Since I was elected Labour leader, I have made it my mission to root out antisemitism from the Labour Party. I know that I will judged on my actions, not my words. The disciplinary process does not have the confidence of the Jewish community. That became clear once...”
“... again yesterday. It is the task of my leadership to fix what I have inherited. That is what I am resolute in doing and I have asked for an independent process to be established as soon as possible...”
Left was angry it happened probably still angry it happened. Anti-Corbyn forces delighted it happened now angry it has unhappened.
What could have been seen as strength comes to be seen as indecision and what might have been seen for Labour as a decisive break on anti-Semitism comes to be muddied. He and leadership will say this isn’t a matter for them but that distinction won’t be perceived.
Letter being read out on behalf of academics at Manchester University to the students who have occupied the accom tower : “The staff at the Uni of Manchester stand in solidarity with you...the example of racial profiling we saw over the weekend show how much more we have to do.”
“tell us what more we can do to support you. we are very proud of you.”
Students in the tower: “We were lied to when we came here. We were brought here for the money. We’re going to stay here until they come and talk to us.”
Naturally I’ve taken a sneak peak at mentions for British politicians. Here’s Obama’s first mention of @David_Cameron. Says he had a “studied informality” but that he liked him and was a good ally, though is quietly quite savage about his economic policy and austerity.
It’s The Queen for whom Obama reserves deepest praise, she: “embodied the special relationship between the US and the UK and Michele and I always loved spending time with her.”
Arizona has now been called for Joe Biden- he’s the first Democrat to win it since 1996. Georgia is outstanding, pending the hand recount. V difficult to see Biden’s margin of 14000+. Trump likely to win NC.
So Biden will flip/is likely to flip 5 states and NE2. Heading for 306.
To be clear, flipping Arizona is a big, big deal. It’s been a GOP stronghold for a long, long time. The home of Barry Goldwater and of course, John McCain. It’s voted Democratic only twice since 1948.
Question(and worry) for Republicans is whether this is just a blip, spurred partially by Trump’s attitude to their favourite son McCain or whether it’s about longer term demographic change, making AZ more like other states in the region which have been trending Democratic.