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David Mundell demands end to “blame games” at Holyrood

David Mundell
David Mundell

The secretary of state for Scotland will today demand an end to “bickering and blame games” at Holyrood.

David Mundell will urge all parties to “work together for the common good” as major new tax and spend powers are devolved to Edinburgh.

Mr Mundell’s Scottish Conservatives soared into second place at the election, while the SNP were returned as the largest party but failed to secure a majority.

The Nationalists’ Nicola Sturgeon, who is expected to be confirmed as first minister tomorrow, has already said she wants to “find areas of agreement” and “build consensus”.

The SNP leader has ruled out a formal coalition, but will need to secure the support of other MSPs on a case-by-case basis in order to pass legislation.

Mr Mundell is expected to say: “People in Scotland have a right to expect, and Scotland’s two governments a duty to deliver, a relationship between Holyrood and Westminster which puts the national interest first and political considerations last.

“Frankly, people are sick and tired of the bickering and blame games. They want to see their politicians working together for the common good.

“So I want to make a big offer to the incoming Scottish ministers – let’s reset the relationship between our two governments.

“Let’s put our political disagreements aside where we possibly can, and put our energies and talents together to deliver a better future for Scotland.

“And let’s include everyone in Scotland – businesses, charities, churches, trade unions, universities, private citizens – in a new collective effort to use our powers and potential in this common endeavour.”

The speech will be delivered in the run-up to a raft of powers coming into force on May 23, which will mean the Scottish Parliament will be able to legislate in a range of new areas.

They will include measures on equal opportunities, gambling policy, rail franchising and the ability to set speed limits on Scotland’s roads.

Significant powers on tax and welfare will transfer later, as agreed by both governments.

An SNP spokesman said last night: “We will always work together with other parties when it is in the interests of the people of Scotland – but the fact is the UK Tory government views Scotland as an afterthought, while the SNP in government will always put our national interests first.

“That is exactly why we were re-elected with an unprecedented third term mandate just over a week ago while the Tories just managed to scrape over 20% of the vote.

“David Mundell’s warm words can’t disguise the fact that his government is pursuing the most right-wing agenda the UK has seen since Margaret Thatcher was in office.

“If he truly wanted to work in Scotland’s interests, he would pressure the prime minister to ditch his ideological commitment to austerity, rather than being an enthusiastic cheerleader for cuts to Scotland’s budget.”