Labour’s Pride in Place: Devolution Under Threat

Labour promised a new relationship with Scotland. Instead, we’re seeing the same old Westminster playbook: bypass Holyrood, centralise power, undermine devolution.

The Pride in Place funding – £292 million for Scottish communities – arrives with no meaningful engagement with the Scottish Government. Westminster is delivering it directly to councils, in policy areas entirely devolved to Scotland. Meanwhile, equivalent funding for Wales flows through the Welsh Government. Scotland is being treated differently, and worse.

Why is this “Union of Equals” is Scotland once again being treated diferently? This move looks to be politically sectarian.

This isn’t about refusing investment. It’s about respecting democracy and ensuring effective governance. When funding bypasses established channels, it creates a fragmented policy landscape that makes joined-up planning impossible. Local organisations face more complexity, not less. And devolved powers become meaningless if Westminster ministers can simply ignore them.

Pride in Place replaces the Tories’ Shared Prosperity Fund, which replaced EU Structural Funds. Each transition has moved control further from Edinburgh to London. Labour criticised this centralisation in opposition. In government, they’re continuing it.

When both main Westminster parties – regardless of their rhetoric – systematically undermine devolution, the settlement itself is unsustainable. If Scotland’s democratic choices can be bypassed whenever it suits London, what value does devolution really have?

It’s clearer than ever: Scotland needs a fresh start with independence.