The Odd One Out - No Democratic Accountability at Westminster

I spend a great deal of my life as Parliamentarian reading and scrutinising legislation and holding the Scottish Government to account.

Whatever your view on Brexit may be the process of leaving the EU has highlighted a range of concerns about the democratic structure of Westminster when it comes to the accountability of government.

In Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast and even in Brussels, the First Ministers or EU President can only take office after the corresponding Parliament approves of them. This also applies to Ministers or EU Commissioners ensuring that the executive is brought before the parliament following their party appointment.

Up until now, some may say the advantages of an informal constitution have worked, mostly, for the Government. However, if we have learned anything from recent events it’s that there are clear gaps in the constitution and it has been up to the courts to fill in these gaps when it comes to holding the Prime Minister to account. While we can commend the Supreme Court for intervening in the unlawful prorogation, we can’t expect this every time and the Parliament must run of its own accord.

This has left me asking whether the arrangements in Westminster are fit for purpose. I have concluded that the lack of a formal framework in the UK has created a lack of accountability within the parliament itself. This has ultimately led to a situation where the Courts have had to intervene.

If we’ve learned anything from Brexit it is that parliaments need to be open and transparent and prime ministers must be held to account. You won’t find accountability on an organisational chart in the UK Government because it is a function of character - it is about honesty and integrity and is central to having transparency with our political leaders.

We have a party that is not fit to govern, leading a parliament that is not able to legislate, these contradictions are no longer sustainable - things have to change.

Meanwhile, fishing remains a concern following our withdrawal from the UK - especially if we are to leave the UK without a deal. Pelagic and mackerel are currently Scotland's largest export species, both in terms of volume and monetary value. I understand that in the event of a no deal Brexit tariffs into the EU will be enforced of 20%.

This is extremely concerning for Scottish fisherman and processors when it comes to competitive market pricing. Undoubtedly the UK Government's approach to Brexit will cause damage to the industry on and offshore and tariffs like this must be avoided.

Local jobs are at risk along with a hit to the North-east economy.

I have been listening to industry on the real and harsh realities of the approach the UK are taking to Brexit.

It seems that political ideology is trumping economics and my great fear is that the burden of the cost is to be borne by our local communities.