Scottish mafia: Difference between revisions
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Scottish broadcasters who cover the UK political scene include [[Kirsty Wark]], [[James Naughtie]], [[Andrew Marr]] and [[Andrew Neil]]. However, there are very many broadcasters who cover the UK political scene who are not Scottish. |
Scottish broadcasters who cover the UK political scene include [[Kirsty Wark]], [[James Naughtie]], [[Andrew Marr]] and [[Andrew Neil]]. However, there are very many broadcasters who cover the UK political scene who are not Scottish. |
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The situation is likely to become more entrenched as Holyrood becomes a proving ground for Scottish politicians, as MSPs who stand for their westminster seat will have more experience than their English counterparts. |
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Claims of a 'mafia' running British politics are not limited to the 'Scottish mafia'. In 1998 [[The Sun]] [[newspaper]] asked whether a '[[gay mafia]]' was running the country, and there have been claims that [[Conservative]] leader [[David Cameron]] has surrounded himself with an [[Elitism|elitist]] '[[Eton College|Eton]] mafia', also known as the '[[Notting Hill]] set'. |
Claims of a 'mafia' running British politics are not limited to the 'Scottish mafia'. In 1998 [[The Sun]] [[newspaper]] asked whether a '[[gay mafia]]' was running the country, and there have been claims that [[Conservative]] leader [[David Cameron]] has surrounded himself with an [[Elitism|elitist]] '[[Eton College|Eton]] mafia', also known as the '[[Notting Hill]] set'. |
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Revision as of 15:31, 15 December 2008
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The Scottish mafia, tartan mafia[1] or Scottish Raj[2], is a pejorative term used by English nationalists[citation needed] for a group of Scottish Labour Party politicians and broadcasters who they believe have undue influence over the governance of England. The term is occasionally used in the UK press[3][4] and in parliamentary debates.[5][6]
References to a Scottish mafia are either based on the perceived over-representation of Scottish Members of Parliament (MPs) in senior government posts (four cabinet ministers out of twenty four), or on the constitutional arrangements which give them a say in English affairs whilst denying English MPs and Scottish Westminster MPs a say in some Scottish affairs. The latter is known as the West Lothian question.
The 'Scottish raj' is seen to be a distinctively Labour - and, to a lesser extent - Liberal Democrat phenomenon, as the Celtic fringe and North of England have always seen strong support for these parties, whereas Conservative support is traditionally based in the South East of England.
 | This article needs to be updated. |
Four of the twenty-four Cabinet members in Britain are Scottish or were born in Scotland:[7] English nationalists paint this as evidence of a Scottish conspiracy to dominate England.
The four Scots mentioned above are:
- Prime Minister Gordon Brown
- Defence Secretary Des Browne
- Chancellor Alistair Darling (although he was born in England)
- International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander
Prominent Scottish Labour cabinet members since 1997 have included, Tony Blair, Robin Cook, George Robertson, Helen Liddell, Donald Dewar, Lord Irvine, David Clark, Gavin Strang, John Reid, Lord Falconer and Ian McCartney. Others, such as Ian McCartney and David Clark, although born in Scotland, lived in England for many years before being elected to the House of Commons for English constituencies[citation needed]. There are also several cases of English people being elected to the Commons for Scottish constituencies and to the Scottish Parliament, such as Shona Robison MSP and Mark Lazarowicz MP. However, the overwhelming majority of Cabinet Ministers under both Blair and Brown were always English. Michael Martin is also a prominent Scottish politician as Speaker of the House of Commons.
Scottish broadcasters who cover the UK political scene include Kirsty Wark, James Naughtie, Andrew Marr and Andrew Neil. However, there are very many broadcasters who cover the UK political scene who are not Scottish.
The situation is likely to become more entrenched as Holyrood becomes a proving ground for Scottish politicians, as MSPs who stand for their westminster seat will have more experience than their English counterparts.
Claims of a 'mafia' running British politics are not limited to the 'Scottish mafia'. In 1998 The Sun newspaper asked whether a 'gay mafia' was running the country, and there have been claims that Conservative leader David Cameron has surrounded himself with an elitist 'Eton mafia', also known as the 'Notting Hill set'.
See also
References
- ^ 'A monster of Labour's own making', Daily Mail, 4 September 2008
- ^ Paxman blasts Scottish Raj, The Sunday Times, 13 March 2005
- ^ Jack, Ian (15 July 2006). "Border disputes". The Guardian. Guardian Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 2006-10-02.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Johnson, Boris (31 August 2006). "There's nothing national about the National Health". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Group Limted. Retrieved 2006-10-02.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200304/ldhansrd/vo040212/text/40212-24.htm. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Lords. 12 February 2004. col. GC571.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld199798/ldhansrd/vo970707/text/70707-31.htm. Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Lords. 7 July 1977. col. 523.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ "Her Majesty's Government". 10 Downing Street. Retrieved 2006-10-02.