First Minister John Swinney has rejected Andy Burnham's claim that parts of Scotland feel as distant from Holyrood as they do from Westminster. The SNP leader accused the Labour MP of trying to 'lecture' him and described his comments as 'polemics'.
Burnham's Devolution Pledge
Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister this month, has pledged to increase devolution across the UK with plans for a 'Number 10 North' to redistribute power. 'Its job will be to make power flow into places like Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Paisley and Easterhouse, not hold it back,' he said.
In a speech earlier this week, the former Manchester mayor claimed that people in Dundee and Bangor 'feel just as distant from Holyrood and the Senedd as they do from Westminster'.
Swinney's Response
But asked about the comments on Wednesday, Mr Swinney told the Press Association: 'I don't agree with them that areas feel distant from Holyrood. The city of Dundee just re-elected SNP members of the Scottish Parliament and the Labour Party got terrible results in the city.'
'I don't really think Andy Burnham is in a strong position to lecture me about all of these questions,' he added. 'I think rather than offering us these polemics, if Andy Burnham is going to become the prime minister, he should have a substantive discussion with the Scottish Government and me about how we empower and strengthen the powers of the Scottish Parliament, and I'll be a willing partner in doing that.'
More Powers for Holyrood
Mr Swinney said he had already proposed to 'shift power' to parts of Scotland to ensure 'there's more economic scope for action in different localities'. He urged Mr Burnham, if he becomes prime minister, to devolve more economic, welfare and energy powers to the Scottish Parliament.
The First Minister promised to 'work constructively' with Number 10 but said Mr Burnham must 'turn his rhetoric into reality'. He added: 'He's spent years telling us that Whitehall doesn't work, that Westminster is broken, and that means he's got to devolve more powers to the Scottish Parliament, and in that respect, I'll be a willing partner in making sure that's the case.'
No to Mayors in Scotland
Mr Swinney also said he does not want to see elected mayors in Scotland. 'What I agree with is having empowered and strong local authorities, as we have in Scotland. I want to make sure they've got more power and more scope to increase economic performance in individual localities.'
