Was it really the vow that won it? Did the promise of more powers actually tip those floating voters over the edge into backing Better Together last month?
As one sensible insider said: “More powers gave people who were a bit scared the perfect excuse to vote “no” so they didn’t have to admit the negative stuff had worked.”
I suspect that’s actually closer to the mark. People rejected independence because of fears over the economy, their pensions, research funding, currency, that sort of thing.
Not because of three parties’ vague promises of devolution, which now see queues of people from across the UK lining up outside party leaders’ doors to demand an answer about how any settlement will work for them.
The detail of what’s coming devolution-wise is very vague. I compared the Better Together timetable to a fag packet in looks and usefulness when it was first rushed out in a panicked fashion. It’s not that the timetable won’t be honoured, but there are three very different visions of a future Scotland on offer with more alternatives to come when the SNP and Greens sit down round the Smith Commission negotiating table.
All that’s certain is we don’t know what we’re going to get once the negotiations have concluded.
Let’s be absolutely crystal clear about this, though. None of the three proposals put forward so far is “devo max”. That has not, as yet, been laid out as an option.
“Devo max” is a catch-all for all powers other than defence and foreign affairs being controlled by Holyrood. The term was a lazy catch-all used during the referendum run-in to describe the timetable, which was wrong.
Whatever ends up happening, the most important aspect will be the impact more powers can have on Scotland. Social Attitudes Surveys have suggested people want control over income tax but don’t want to vary it from the rest of the UK.
This is pointless. More devolution can’t be for its own sake but has to come with a view to improving this country. It’s not simply about how much power. It must be about what we can, and will, do with it.
* A COUPLE of Better Together strategists were having a great time being hailed as heroes at the Tory conference in Birmingham.
As their passes emblazoned with the campaign’s name was noticed, they were apparently instantly handed some booze by way of “thanks”.
Nowhere was this more evident than at the North England reception, who promptly asked the DJ to play The Proclaimers, apparently unaware the Fife duo were both vocal advocates of a “yes” vote.
* IT WASN’T just those who turned up in the West Midlands who were attracting praise from the assembled Conservatives.
Ruth Davidson, who herself was the conference darling, paid tribute to the Darling who wasn’t present, and Alistair’s leadership of Better Together was saluted with quite the clapometer reading.
Cue quick line from the Scottish Tory leader: “He’s had so many rounds of applause at Tory conferences his reputation is ruined.”
* SERIOUSLY, THE Tories seemed desperate to prove they had found their inner Scot. Or at least found Scotland on a map.
No longer needing to whip out the charm offensive now the referendum is done and dusted there was still plenty of love kicking around from the exhibitors in the conference hall.
There was even a pair of Saltire cufflinks for sale at one stall, although I can confirm there was no “yes” message emblazoned on them.
* ONE THING really stuck out in Birmingham, though. The prices. Not outside the ICC, you see, but inside the venue.
I was stung for £5 for two bottles of fizzy juice, advertised at 330ml size but only 200ml when delivered.
Meanwhile, one colleague ended up speechless briefly, the story was then repeated in an exasperated manner to anyone who would listen after a gin and tonic cost him £9 at the eye-wateringly expensive bar in the Hyatt, Birmingham’s conference hotel. Austerity indeed!
* REFERENDUM MADNESS moving straight into conference season has left Holyrood’s press pack feeling a little under the weather.
As the adrenaline dies down, illness is sweeping the media corridor at the Scottish Parliament.
At least five journalists could be heard sniffing, coughing and spluttering late last week.
Hot drinks and early nights all round! Maybe