On devolution and data, by Alan Trench
It has taken the Holtham Commission to provide up-to-date data on the public finances in Wales. The National Assembly needs to emulate Scotland and publish detailed annual figures on public spending...
View ArticleSalmond’s canny move on independence, by Alan Trench
The Scottish National Party's decision to drop a proposed referendum bill allows it to suggest that only independence can block 'Conservative cuts'. It's a clever political manoeuvre
View ArticleDevolution declaration, by Alan Trench
It is scarcely surprising that the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are unhappy about the planned scale of spending cuts. What is intriguing is to do with the timing and tactics...
View ArticleDevolution mismatch, by Alan Trench
An important lesson from the Spending Review is that the UK government sees the devolved administrations as subordinate, with limited functions and no wider role beyond the discharge of those functions
View ArticleDanny’s day out in Cardiff, by Alan Trench
Much has been made of Danny Alexander's 'grilling' before the National Assembly's Finance Committee yesterday. But he had some interesting things to say about devolution and finance
View ArticleThe yes or no question for Wales, by Alan Trench
The state of both the 'Yes' and 'No' campaigns in the referendum on primary legislative powers in Wales has been a cause of concern for some time. A low turnout seems inevitable
View ArticleWhat about the Wales Office? By Alan Trench
Following the referendum result, Welsh politicians have called for the abolition of the Wales Office. But this isn't necessary - it's more important to decide what role the Office should have
View ArticleFantasy and fibbing on the campaign trail, by Alan Trench
There's almost as much of an air of unreality about the Scottish and Welsh election campaigns as there was in last year's UK election. The extent to which public spending will be constrained has simply...
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