By a Newsnet reporter
Michael Forsyth, the last Conservative Secretary of State for Scotland, who now sits in the House of Lords as Baron of Drumlean, has reacted angrily to what he claims is a lack of information from the Coalition Government about their consultation on the independence referendum.
The peer was also angered that the UK Government had apparently made further concessions to the SNP. Mr Forsyth said that Scottish Secretary Michael Moore had treated the Upper Chamber with “contempt” and added that it was now impossible for the Lords to have an “informed debate”.
The UK and Scottish Governments jointly agreed to go ahead with the Scotland Bill on Wednesday after reaching an agreement. But Mr Forsyth has complained about the handling of the bill, saying that the House of Lords was not given enough time to consider the UK Government’s response to a consultation on an independence referendum, before the report stage of the Scotland Bill begins.
Mr Forsyth said that “very extensive concessions” had been made by the UK Government in order to reach agreement with Holyrood and said that it was “quite unacceptable” that the House of Lords would not be able to discuss and debate them properly.
Unelected politician Mr Forsyth had tabled a large number of amendments to the Bill, mostly advocating the return of powers from Holyrood back to Westminster, a policy position which enjoys very little support amongst the Scottish public.
Addressing the House of Lords, Mr Forsyth said: “I would like to complain in the strongest possible terms about the way this legislation is being handled.”
He added: “There is absolutely no time for us to take account of this consultation. It is really unacceptable that we should go into the report stage on Monday without a full analysis and full information relating to the consultation process, and also an indication of where the government stands on this.”
He went on: “In short, this a major constitutional bill which has huge implications for the people in Scotland … and the rest of the United Kingdom.
“The way in which the parliamentary process has been handled has limited our opportunity and I have to say, I think he [Mr Moore] has treated this House with a degree of contempt.
“He knew that we were delaying these proceedings to deal with the consultation process and at the very last minute at 11 o’clock on the day to give us such a cursory analysis of the consultation makes it absolutely impossible for us to have a fully informed debate.”
Labour peer George Foulkes, who has likewise tabled a series of amendments to the bill, said that he shared Lord Forsyth’s frustration. However Mr Foulkes said that Lib Dem peer Jim Wallace, who is responsible for piloting the Scotland bill through the Lords, should be “absolved” of blame for the UK Government’s handling of the bill.
In a statement which admitted that the UK Government has been put on the back foot in the debate on the Scottish constitutional settlement, Mr Foulkes said that Mr Wallace had to work with a UK Cabinet which had “only recently begun to realise” the implications of devolution. He added that Mr Wallace was under “great difficulty” from “a number of sources”.
Speaking in response to the remarks made by Mr Forsyth and Mr Foulkes, Mr Wallace claimed that the Lords had already given the bill proper scrutiny and had improved the legislation.
Mr Wallace said there had been 3,000 responses to the consultation and the government wanted to ensure it did “justice” to the quality of submissions received. The minister added that he was “more than willing” to discuss how best to order the business for report stage of the bill, which is due to begin on Monday.
Mr Forsyth said that Scottish Secretary Michael Moore had treated the Upper Chamber with “contempt” and added that it was now impossible for the Lords to have an “informed debate”.
Well, perhaps if your debate HAD been informed, there would have been less reaction.
You and your unelected cronies are a blight on the democratic process in this country, and your comeuppance is a delight to those of us who want real democracy, and real respect for the citizens of ALL countries in this (dis)United Kingdom.
What is missing in the mindset of the establishment and re-inforced by these ermined Scots is that the UK as represented by Westminster and or the silent ones in the background never intended to comply with the requirements of the Council of Europe at any time.
Blair admitted it when he described his view on Holyrood as a ‘ Parish Council’.
What they fail to understand, especially these traitorous Lords is that a power devolved is a power retained.
So all their nonsense of trying to take back powers which is what the basic Calman/Scotland Bill proposed would be if we had one, un-constitutional !.
I simply hate the Scotland bill in all its manifestations and refuse to have anything to do with it other than using it as a bargaining chip which is what it appears Mr. Salmond is doing, In that, he has my support. Spin it, bin it. My motto here.
Glad you are feeling better Upspake.
I watched Messrs Forsyth ,Ffoukes ,Steele and some other bozo ,spend much time in debate insulting the First Minister .
If the quality of debate was bothering Forsyth , he has only himself and his Labour/Liberal cronies to blame.
I too would prefer NOT to see his face ,or any other part of him – thank you!
Is this the thanks he get for giving you back THE STONE?
UK Government has treated Lords with “contempt”
Just catching up with the rest of us.
..their jaikets are on shaky nails.
Presumably those white jaikets that fasten roon the back.
They cant be held in contempt by anyone; they’re beyond contempt. I wonder if his lardship and his cronies will leave their gravy train in 2016 and come back north when can ridicule them at close quarters, or will they stay in their adopted nirnava?
They will have to return as Scottish citizens without titles – unless Westminster decides to pay their pensions and expenses. I think they will be quietly “let go”.
Let’s not go down the route of defining citizenship by ethnicity or birthplace.
Far from it Holebender. I’m of the opinion that anyone and everyone whatever their background is welcome to live in and be a citizen of this country provided they contribute to the good of Scotland. Foulkes fails that test IMO.
Addressing the House of Lords, Mr Forsyth said: “I would like to complain in the strongest possible terms about the way this legislation is being handled.”
Clearly he does not ‘do’ irony then.
Can anyone tell me what would happen to Scottish Lords after independence?
Would they have to leave the trough, as they would then become foreign troughers?
I would pay good money to watch that eviction! 🙂
Their ermine will be confiscated and sold with profits going to a fund for the victims of crime.
For Trimble to try to import Ulster Unionism to Scottish politics is wholly inappropriate.
Well, it looks like it might not be in football for long, so it needs a new home.