As ex-Brexit Secretary David Frost is expected to take on union-related issues in a possible Liz Truss government, nine former ministers in governments in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast have spoken about their disputes and frustrations with Westminster in their interviews at the Institute for Government. Michael Russell, Scotland’s former cabinet secretary for the constitution, Europe and foreign affairs, described how ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland used to complain about the intervention of a senior Tory minister who would be “charming in your face”. , but “then he would go out and short wild” against them. Jeane Freeman, Scotland’s former health secretary, complained that the UK government “simply doesn’t understand [devolution] and they have paid no attention to it.’ Some powers, including matters relating to the economy, health and justice, have been devolved to the three nations since 1998, but the Scottish National Party’s desire for a new independence referendum in Scotland and the impact of Brexit on Northern Ireland remain important cracks in the joint. The possible appointment of Lord Frost, known for his aggressive approach, as head of the Cabinet Office raises the prospect of more bruising battles ahead. Michael Russell, Scotland’s former cabinet secretary for the constitution, Europe and foreign affairs, said tensions between London and the devolved nations had worsened during Boris Johnson’s reign. “I think the difference between the May and Johnson governments is that there was a recognition [Theresa] It can, no matter how limited and negative, the legitimate interests of devolved governments and their rights, while there was nothing but contempt for devolution from the Johnson government, expressed at every level even by territorial secretaries of state,” he said. Freeman, a two-time minister at Holyrood, said the lack of interest in devolved government was not limited to the Conservative party. “It was also my experience with Labor – [the UK government] they don’t understand decentralization… and they haven’t paid attention to it.” Sinn Féin’s Máirtín Ó Muilleoir said working with the UK government was “disheartening, depressing” and “a waste of my time”, while Stephen Farry, Alliance MP for North Down and former Stormont employment minister , complained that devolved government in Belfast was like a “trading clearing house” with Sinn Féin and the DUP setting the agenda. “There wasn’t really much of a sense of ‘here’s a vision of where we want to take Northern Ireland,’” he told the IfG. The DUP is boycotting Stormont over Brexit, but Farry says that when he was in devolved government 10 years ago, there was “almost collegiality” between the party and its arch-rival Sinn Féin. Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you to the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Alun Davies, the former agriculture minister and Welsh Labor member of the Senedd in Wales, complained that the recently departed Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart, had turned into a “monster” who not only attacks devolved government decisions but actually we ” with “ridiculous” comments. “I disagree, fundamentally, with what the UK government is saying and doing … but I’m not attacking their right to exist,” he said. Claire Sugden, independent trade unionist and former Northern Ireland justice minister, spoke about the importance of respecting political opponents. “It’s not the person I’m working with, it’s the office they’ve been mandated to, and in most cases it’s thousands of people. So when I disrespect that person, I disrespect the people they represent,” he said. A government spokesman said: “We have seen positive cooperation with devolved governments on key issues, including leading the international response against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and on COVID-19. “Earlier this year, we published a landmark agreement which sets out how we strengthen relationships for the benefit of people across the UK and so far more than 160 meetings have taken place with the UK Government and devolved ministers.”
