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Gracious speech

Brian Taylor | 13:44 UK time, Wednesday, 3 December 2008

Did you catch that line in ?

"My government will continue to work closely with the devolved administrations in the interests of all the people of the United Kingdom".

Which simply means, I suppose, that Her Majesty's United Kingdom Government will seek to sustain a working relationship with those ministers elsewhere who have also sworn an oath of fealty to the Crown.

However, look at the detail. This is substantive. In the speech itself, a succession of proposed Bills will if they are to apply, even in limited form, in Scotland.

These include measures on coroners and justice; equality; local democracy; the marine environment; policing and crime.

That is because these Bills include elements which cover devolved powers.

Further, the UK Government will seek co-operation from Scottish ministers on key objectives such as reducing child poverty, improving skills training and permitting Border Agency officers to implement outstanding warrants in Scotland.

Case-by-case

To be clear, much of the Queen's Speech applies across the whole of the UK - especially the keynote measures on banking regulation, political parties and immigration.

But much more will require a deal between Westminster and Holyrood. Scottish ministers say they will consider the requests for co-operation on a case-by-case basis - but my guess is they will be "mature", as one put it, rather than resorting to gestures.

That does not mean, however, that the SNP Scottish Government is impressed by the gracious speech.

As one said: "It's so thin it makes the by comparison."

However, UK ministers take a different tack.

The Scottish secretary, Jim Murphy, hailed the widespread relevance of the speech for Scotland - through the headline Bills and, to a varying degree, the other proposals.

PS: Quite liked Dennis Skinner's gag when Black Rod entered the Commons. "Any Tory moles at the Palace". Better one would have been: "Have you got a warrant?"

PPS: Excellent news that Craig Levein has extended his contract with the mighty United.

Now let's get on with the business of securing Lukasz Zaluska. Lukasz, the Arabs salute you!

BLOG UPDATE:

Bruce Crawford, the Holyrood Minister for Parliamentary Business, has confirmed his intention to assist the UK Government in legislating in devolved matters.

He said the Scottish Government would "work constructively" on issues that benefit the people of Scotland.

At the same time, he took a sideswipe at spending cuts coming down the line which, he said, would damage Scotland.

Incidentally, in response to the first poster, perhaps I should have clarified the nature of the legislative consent. For example, re the Coroners and Justice Bill.

I am well aware, Ministers on both sides of the Border are well aware, that there are no coroners in Scotland.

However, it's the Justice bit that applies to Scotland within the wider bill.

There will be measures re driving bans that apply to Scotland directly. And Holyrood consent will be sought with regard to criminal memoirs.

Hope that's clear now.

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