Jo Grimond’s manifesto

This is NOT an SNP manifesto!

“I do not like the word devolution as it has come to be called. It implies that power rests at Westminster, from which centre some may be graciously devolved.

“I would rather begin by assuming that power should rest with the people who entrust it to their representatives to discharge the essential tasks of government.

“Once we accept that the Scots and Welsh are nations, then we must accord them parliaments which have all the normal powers of government, except for those that they delegate to the United Kingdom government or the EEC.

“I find it difficult to see how, if the case for Scottish and Welsh self-government is accepted at all, any powers can be reserved to the UK government except foreign affairs, defence, and the wider issues of economic policy linked to the common currency and common trade policies.

“So when we consider Parliament we must think of three Parliaments and of a much restricted Westminster Parliament” (Jo Grimond, ‘a Personal Manifesto’; 1983).

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Alistair Carmichael recently professed that ‘Home Rule’ had been achieved by his acceptance of the Lord Smith Commission findings on further Scottish devolution.

Liberal voters in Orkney and Shetland, loyal to Jo Grimond’s memory and party, should consider whether his vision of ‘Home Rule’ accords with the current Lib/Dem’s definition.

Jo Grimond would, surely, have vehemently disagreed.

The LibDem party has distanced itself from original Liberal ideals but the SNP still stand behind what Jo Grimond said on ‘Home Rule’ in a ‘Personal Manifesto’; 1983.

Geordie Pottinger
Burra