Malcolm Chisholm has resigned from Jack McConnell's cabinet tonight after he was unable to vote with Labour over the Trident vote in the Scottish Parliament. This is Chisholm's second resignation from government, having first resigned from Blair's Westminster government in 1997 over Gordon Brown's decision to axe lone parent benefits.
Malcolm Chisholm's opposition to trident and nuclear power is well known and his resignation is not a huge surprise given his noises over the past few weeks in particular. Today Chisholm decided to vote with the SNP (along with Bill Butler, Elaine Smith and Marlyn Glenn).
It's not exactly a body blow to Scottish politics that Malcolm has decided to exit the stage, however it is a major problem for McConnell and Labour in Scotland. With Labour already doing so badly in the polls, any form of split or internal arguments will simply ensure that on polling day Labour's vote doesn't turn out.
However, Malcolm's resignation is bizarre. Nuclear weapons and power stations (other than for planning permission) are reserved matters for westminster. So, Chisholms apparent disloyalty by voting for the opposition was hardly a major problem. It made not a jot of difference to Scottish Executive policy or the delivery of the government's programme. Should Scottish Ministers not be able to disagree with their masters down south?
I thought the whole purpose of devolution was to allow thinking in Scotland free of the London government? Clearly not.
I find it hard to be too critical of Chisholm over this - sure, it's a bit odd to resign over a reserved matter, but at least the guy is showing some sort of honour in voting with his conscience.
It's a rarity.
Posted by: Mr Eugenides | 22 December 2006 at 12:04 PM