By David Scott in Edinburgh
20 May 2010
New Scottish Secretary Danny Alexander has denied claims that his party has done a U-turn and abandoned its opposition to the Scotland Office.
The Liberal Democrat MP, whose party made a pre-election call for the abolition of the ministry, described his post as ‘significant’. He stressed that it was needed to maintain the spirit of co-operation between Scottish and UK ministers.
The Scottish LibDems had previously said that abolishing the post was a ‘job waiting to be done’.
Former Labour Scotland Office minister David Cairns said Alexander’s views and principles had suddenly changed. He added: ‘In the space of five days, he has gone from chief critic of the Conservatives to David Cameron’s spokesman in Scotland, occupying office in a ministry he wanted to abolish.’
Stewart Hosie, campaign co-ordinator for the Scottish National Party’s election campaign, said: ‘Danny Alexander will have to show great dexterity in a post he wants to see abolished.’
The new Scottish secretary’s role has also been questioned on the basis that Alexander will have other time-consuming duties in supporting Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Alan Trench, a leading devolution commentator, told Public Finance: ‘It looks to me as if the post will be part-time, in contrast to the position in Wales and Northern Ireland, as Danny Alexander will also have a significant role as political adviser to Nick Clegg.’
However, he believed Alexander could be an influential player in the government ‘as clearly he will have Nick Clegg’s ear’.
Alexander said: ‘I am Scotland’s man at the very heart of government.’
He pledged to press ahead as ‘quickly as possible’ with the Calman review proposals for more tax-raising powers for Holyrood.
20 May 2010
New Scottish Secretary Danny Alexander has denied claims that his party has done a U-turn and abandoned its opposition to the Scotland Office.
The Liberal Democrat MP, whose party made a pre-election call for the abolition of the ministry, described his post as ‘significant’. He stressed that it was needed to maintain the spirit of co-operation between Scottish and UK ministers.
The Scottish LibDems had previously said that abolishing the post was a ‘job waiting to be done’.
Former Labour Scotland Office minister David Cairns said Alexander’s views and principles had suddenly changed. He added: ‘In the space of five days, he has gone from chief critic of the Conservatives to David Cameron’s spokesman in Scotland, occupying office in a ministry he wanted to abolish.’
Stewart Hosie, campaign co-ordinator for the Scottish National Party’s election campaign, said: ‘Danny Alexander will have to show great dexterity in a post he wants to see abolished.’
The new Scottish secretary’s role has also been questioned on the basis that Alexander will have other time-consuming duties in supporting Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
Alan Trench, a leading devolution commentator, told Public Finance: ‘It looks to me as if the post will be part-time, in contrast to the position in Wales and Northern Ireland, as Danny Alexander will also have a significant role as political adviser to Nick Clegg.’
However, he believed Alexander could be an influential player in the government ‘as clearly he will have Nick Clegg’s ear’.
Alexander said: ‘I am Scotland’s man at the very heart of government.’
He pledged to press ahead as ‘quickly as possible’ with the Calman review proposals for more tax-raising powers for Holyrood.
