Consultation Response - Media 12 - Cardiff University PDF 2 MB

A big day for devolution and the biggest shake up of Scotland’s finances for thirty
years. That’s how the UK Government has billed its proposals to transfer more
powers to Holyrood, including a new Scottish income tax, powers to regulate air
weapons, set drink drive levels, and decide a national speed limit. But that will all
depend on Labour being returned to power next year, since the Tories say they’d
bring forward their own plans.
The BBC News at Six item lasted two minutes and 39 seconds with a reporter
on location in Coldstream, a town in Scotland on the border with England. A
driving instructor (17 seconds) was included to demonstrate how problematic
the difference in speed limits may prove, not least in confusing many
motorists. To reinforce this, a female resident was interviewed saying that it
could be confusing, but Scotland should be able to make their own rules as
well (7 seconds). The change in air gun legislation was mentioned by the BBC
reporter, along with the possibility that people may lose money from their pay
packets in taxes. One male resident was briefly interviewed, commenting “it
works both ways. We may end up paying less tax, which suits me fine” (5
seconds).
The party political angle was explored further at length in the news item. The
reporter stated:
Labour argues this would make the Scottish Government more accountable for the
money it spends, the Conservatives agree but reserve the rights to make their own
plans if they are next in Government.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, is quoted reinforcing the
message that Scotland would be ‘more accountable…within the framework of
the UK’ (16 seconds).
The SNP plans, meanwhile, were also given due prominence. Mike Russell
MSP, the Scottish Constitution Minister (12 seconds) was quoted saying “the
reality in Scotland is people need those powers. There are things in Scotland
that need to be changed”. The BBC reporter concluded by stating:
and for the SNP Government that means independence for Scotland from
neighbouring England. And they’ll be introducing their own proposals calling for a
referendum on that next week.
The lead Reporting Scotland news item ran for two minutes and 52 seconds,
with a reporter on location in Westminster. Compared to the BBC News at Six
coverage, it emphasised the political significance of the review by asking:
Ten years on, has devolution strengthened or weakened the union? That’s now a key
political question. Today’s been a big day for devolution. A white paper from the UK
Government which aims to stop Scotland going its own way.
The item continued by exploring how the Parliament in Edinburgh would have
the right to raise additional funds if it wanted to, making it more accountable.
The question of economic accountability was then framed between interview
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