The argument against abolition was less a defence of the SNP than a warning that dismantling Scotland’s parliament would strengthen the cause it was meant to contain. No won comfortably, with its most-respected cases insisting that “the problem is not inherently devolution” and that abolition would “push further for arguments of independence”.
Yes voters made their case in the language of waste, frustration and poor services. The most-respected Yes argument began: “YES do it. Fed up of hearing the SNP crying constantly,” then turned to a parent’s account of Scottish exams and the “free” offer of university, prescriptions and bus travel; others called devolution “an expensive experiment” or Holyrood “a waste of money”.
The clash was over whether the institution or its occupants were the problem. No voters argued that “you win the argument” against the SNP, not abolish Holyrood, and warned that Westminster rule would “have the exact opposite effect”; the Yes case pointed to disappointing outcomes but did not show how abolition would answer the resentment No voters predicted.
That takes the vote into the live argument about devolution and the Union: whether shared government is held together by central control or by allowing different parts of the UK to govern themselves. One No voter put the distinction plainly: “Scotland and England are not the same”.
The case for abolition was rooted in dissatisfaction; the case against it in what abolition might unleash.
33 Opinions
Scotland has a different way of looking at things, compared to England. Just let them be. To do what is suggested will cost money, which people keep saying the government doesn't have.
The Government in Holyrood doesn't seem to achieve much of anything which is why I said yes. The UK as a whole should be under the rule of the UK Government
I live in Scotland and the entire Scottish parliament is a waste of money and has only given us a terrible country and corruption.
Abolishing Holyrood would only cause resentment. I am no fan of the SNP and believe it is a divisive force but the way to beat it is to win the argument. I would be firm rhat there will no more referendums for a LONG time but we have to live with Holyrood now it is here.
NO We should be devoving government and breaking the London centric establishments control over the rest of the UK
What have the devolved parliaments achieved? Education and health outcomes down compared to England. Time to call an end to this expensive experiment. Will it strengthen the Union? Probably not as the disaffected nationalist will still blame Westminster and want full independence.
Why do we need to strengthen the Union? What benefit does being tied to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland bring to England? Let them gave independence if they want it…we can still be friends without being part of a political Union (same applies with EU)
Abolish Stormont while you're at it! Its doing nothing for the people of NI. Health service, pot holes, cost of living, immigration and crime etc all ignored this week while the bill for policing a road reaches £4 million!
The whole devolution experiment should be scrapped. Tripple the costs for no difference.
Not simple, about competence & disastrous policies which impact RestUK. Really a large County Council with powers it abuses. Despite Barnett formula there are funding issues in Scotland but more about allocation of resources. Holyrood established because of Blair’s attempt to have forever Labour majorities in Scotland & Wales - idea it would attract top tier politicians - we got venal idiots. Our Political system needs reform, not just abolishing Holyrood but also Socialism