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Who should choose the timing of the independence referendum?  Who should be allowed to vote, and what should the questions be?  A furious row has broken out between Holyrood and Westminster governments over Scotland’s future – the Scottish government says it has a mandate from the Scottish people, but Westminster argues that the Scottish Parliament does not have the constitutional powers to conduct the referendum, and cannot do so without it’s approval.

The row broke out last weekend when Prime Minister David Cameron made clear that he wanted to resolve the ‘legal uncertainty’ surrounding the vote and said:  “We want to work with the Scottish government to give the people of Scotland of a fair and more decisive question”.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was quick to respond, accusing Mr Cameron of ‘a blatant attempt to interfere in a decision that should be for the Scottish government and Scottish people’.  She added:  “It’s the attachment of conditions that gives the game away – this is Westminster trying to interfere.  Perhaps I should be relaxed about that because the more a Tory government tries to interfere in Scottish democracy, then I suspect the greater the support for independence will be, but there is a key issue of democratic principle here”.

Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore weighed in to the debate on Tuesday when he outlined the Westminster government’s position, but he struck a more conciliatory note.  “I think the important point is that we would not want to carry out the whole referendum process, make the decision at the ballot box and then discover somebody somewhere wanted to challenge that.  Isn’t it better to resolve that potential, get rid of any risk – which I think is clear-cut risk?  Let’s get on with it”.

He went on:  “I am happy to work with Alex (Salmond) to sort out the legal issue and then let’s have a debate about whether or not Scotland should be part of the UK or not – that is the crux of this matter”.

Since it’s election victory in May the SNP government at Holyrood has said that the referendum will take place in the second half of the current parliament.  Last night, that position was firmed up when the First Minister announced that the referendum will be held in autumn 2014.

Mr Salmond said:  “The date for the referendum has to be the autumn of 2014.  That’s because this is the biggest decision that Scotland has made for 300 years.  If you are going to do things properly and have the debate in the way it must be had then that is the date we are going to move towards”.

The Scottish government plans to launch a consultation on the referendum later this month.

Westminster and Holyrood disagree over a number of issues.  The UK parliament favours a straight yes or no question on the ballot paper, while the Scottish government favours a third ‘devo-max’ option that would give more powers to Scotland short of absolute independence.  The Scottish government would also like 16 and 17 year olds to take part in the vote, but this is opposed by Westminster.  Also disputed is the timing of the referendum vote.  Westminster wants the ballot to take place as early as possible while the Scottish government believes the ballot should take place in autumn 2014.

Unless a consensus is reached, it’s likely that these constitutional issues could well end up being decided by the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land.  Scotland’s biggest decision for over 300 years may yet be delayed beyond 2014.

Scotland continues to be lashed by gale force winds, causing widepsread travel disruption.  As at midday, this is the picture in Edinburgh, where a gust of 102mph was recorded earlier this morning:

Forth Road Bridge – closed due to high winds

Waverley Station – all rail services currently suspended

Edinburgh Airport – all incoming flights cancelled and outgoing flights severely disrupted

Local Roads:

M9 City Of Edinburgh – M9 closed in both directions between J1, A8 (Newbridge) and J2, B8046 (Old Philpstoun), because of an overturned lorry. Police directing traffic.

A720 City Of Edinburgh – A720 Edinburgh City By-Pass in Edinburgh closed and slow traffic westbound between Calder Junction and Hermiston Gait, because of an overturned lorry. Diversion in operation – A71. Travel time is 20 minutes.

A71 City Of Edinburgh – A71 Calder Road in Edinburgh partially blocked in both directions between Calder Junction and the B701 Wester Hailes Road junction, because of fallen street light. Police directing traffic.

City Of Edinburgh – North St David Street closed in both directions between the Thistle Street junction and the Queen Street junction, because of unsafe building. Police directing traffic.

Lothian Buses have also issued the following information:

Due to the severe weather the following services have been diverted

Service 1 (Fountain Bridge  Closed) diverted via angle park West approach road, Lothian Road

service 2  hermiston gate closed operating via South  Gyle access

Service 3 diverted via A7 via Hardengreen, Dalhousie road into Newtongrange onto route

service 7 via Pilrig Street Ferry Road

service 10 terminate at Duke street

service 14 operating via Pilrig st, Ferry Road and North Junction Street

service 15 terminting at Fairmilehead

service 16 operating via Pilrig Street, Ferry Road and North Junction Street.

service 19 will operate via Portobello Road in both directions

service 20 will not operate through the Calders

service 21 (to Royal Infirmary ) diverted via  Fillyside Seafield Road.

service 22 Via Pilrig Street North Junction Street

service 23 to terminate at Greenbank

Service 25 will operate via Fillyside-Seafield road onto route at Leith Links

service 34 and 35 diverted via Angle Park Terrace,West Approach Road and Lothian Road and also will terminate at Duke Street

service 44 — Eastbound diverted from Jock`s Lodge via PiersHill Terrace; west Bound via NorthField Broadway and Portobello Road

Service 49 diverted via Seifield Road-Leith Links also not operating through Dalkieth Centre (via Melville road to Hardengreen. (not able to serve Tesco Hardengreen)

North St David Street Closed — All Services diverted Leith Street

West Approach Road Closed West Bound – all servoces diverted Morrison Link Haymarket,Dalry Road onto Gorgie.

Services 12 26 31 48 X48 100 and N26 diverted eastbound at Haymarket, click here for details.

Service 41 diverted both directions at Queensferry Road, Queensferry Terrace. Buses diverted via Craigleith Crescent, Ravelston Dykes and Queensferry Terrace due to a road closure.

For details of Princes Street diversions click here.

All other services operating on normal routes.

 

Conditions are expected to ease later this evening but in the meantime Lothian and Borders Police advise that only absolutely necessary journeys should be made.

 

More milestones and miscellany from 2011

N

N is for News of the World.  Rupert Murdoch’s pride and joy, once the biggest selling English language newspaper in the world, printed for the last time in July as a result of the phone hacking scandal.  The final headline: ‘Thank You & Goodbye’.

N is also for Names.  Jack was the most popular choice of boy’s name in 2011 while Sophie topped the list for the girls.

O

O is for Oscars.  The King’s Speech was the big winner in 2011, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay Oscars.

O is also for Old Firm. While the Glasgow giants continue to dominate Scottish football, the ‘ugly sisters’ haven’t had their troubles to seek in 2011.  Rangers have a huge tax demand hanging over them and new owner Craig Whyte came under the spotlight for past business practices. Celtic, meanwhile, had the dubious distinction of being dismissed from European competitions no less than three times before Christmas.  There were also letter bombs to prominent Celtic figures and manager Neil Lennon was assaulted.  New legislation to tackle sectarianism and bigotry was introduced but will changes to the law have any impact on the behaviour of some of the more ‘diehard’ fans?

P

P is for Minimum Pricing for alcohol.  The SNP government failed to get this through parliament during their last term but now, with a working majority at Holyrood, the way is clear for legislation to be passed to tackle one of Scotland’s biggest and most entrenched social problems.  Health chiefs are delighted, the licensed trade and supermarket chains less so.  Farewell, two litre bottles of strong cider for 99p.

P is also for Pensions.  Public sector trade unions took to the streets in a series of well-supported strikes to protest about changes to pension provision.  Workers are being asked to work years longer and to contribute more to their pension schemes.  Unions say it’s wrong that workers – including many low-paid – should pay the price for banker’s greed and mistakes.  The government remains unmoved and pensions will remain a live issue in 2012.

Q

Q is for Queen Elizabeth.  The Royals had a very successful 2011 with two weddings (see below) and a well-received tour of Canada.  The only concern was the hospitalisation of Prince Philip in December with a heart problem.  The 90 year old Duke of Edinburgh was forced to miss the traditional Boxing Day shoot at Sandringham, which was a disappointment for Philip but good news for the pheasants.  Prince Philip has since been discharged and is ready to tackle a full programme of events to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 – much, much more on this story in the months ahead.

R

R is for Riots.  England was hit by a series of riots in August, initially sparked off by the shooting of a young man in Tottenham.  Just what his death had to do with the subsequent looting, arson and vandalism wave which spread like wildfire across the country is unclear, however.

R is also for Rugby World Cup.  The event was held in New Zealand this year.  New Zealand won – Scotland and England under-performed.  No surprises there, then.

S

S is for Alex Salmond, Scotland’s foremost politician by a distance in 2011.  The SNP’s historic victory in May initiated the resignation of three party leaders in Scotland – Labour’s Iain Gray, Tory Annabel Goldie and Lib-Dem Tavish Scott.  The three main opposition parties now have new leaders in place – Johann Lamont, Ruth Davidson and Willie Rennie – but will any of them be able to land a telling blow on Wee Eck?

S is also for St Paul’s Cathedral, scene of an anti-capitalist protest camp which brought about the resignation of a number of senior church figures in November.  So far protests have not brought about the resignation of any penitent bankers, though.

T

T is for Trams.  Edinburgh’s longest running story was never far from the headlines again in another turbulent year for the beleaguered project.  However a ‘milestone’ was reached in December when the tram depot at Gogar was finally completed and handed over to the city council.  Still no trams on the streets of Edinburgh, though – completion date of the now much-truncated route is 2014.

T is also for Tsunami.  Japan was struck by an earthquake and massive tsunami in March, killing over 18,000 people and making tens of thousands more homeless.  The cost of rebuilding the stricken area is expected to reach over £150 billion.

U

U is for unemployment.  UK unemployment reached a 17 year high in August with 2.57 million people registered unemployed.  The jobless total for 16 -24 year olds was particularly high at 991,000 – a jobless rate of 21.3%.  It’s expected that the unemployment rate will reach 2.85 million in 2012 as more jobs are lost in the pubic sector, with little sign so far that the private sector will be able to provide more job opportunities.

V

V is for racing driver Sebastian Vettel.  The young German carried all before him in 2011, gaining eleven Grand Prix victories for his Red Bull team over the course of the Formula One season.

W

W is for Wedding.  Not one but two Royal Weddings in 2011 – the nation’s sweethearts Kate and Wills were married at Westminster in April, while Zara Phillips wed rugby player Mike Tindall in a relatively ‘low-key’ ceremony in Edinburgh’s Canongate in July.  The public cost for policing that ‘private family affair’ – a ‘low-key’ £400,000!

X

X is for X Factor.  Girl band Little Mix won it this year.  End of story – move on.

X is also for Xmas (well, nearly).  This year’s Christmas Number One was The Military Wives with Gareth Malone’s ‘Wherever You Are’.

Y

Y is for YouTube.  The most watched video of 2011 was Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby ft. Ludacris’ with 468, 272, 752 hits.

Z

Z is for Zoo and the arrival in Edinburgh of two pandas from China in December.  Yes, unemployment’s rising, everybody’s feeling the pinch, the Euro’s in crisis and the trams are nowhere to be seen but hey – we’ve got Tian Tian and Yang Guang!  It’s pandamonium!

 

Happy New Year!

Some highlights and lowlights of things that made the news in 2011 …

A

A is for Arab Spring, the biggest story of the year.  Starting in Tunisia, a series of popular uprisings engulfed the Middle East with regimes toppled in Egypt and Libya.  This story will continue to develop well into the New Year.

A is also for Afghanistan.  US forces are now leaving the country, but it remains doubtful that democracy will flourish there in the aftermath of a ten year conflict that has cost the lives of almost 400 British troops.

B

B is for Berlusconi.  With his country’s economy in crisis, the colourful Italian politician was finally forced to resign in November following a succession of scandals – remember Bunga, Bunga?  It’s unlikely we’ve heard the last of ‘Il Cavaliere’, however.

B is also for Bin Laden, finally captured and killed by US forces in Pakistan in May following a manhunt that lasted for over ten years.

C

C is for cyclist Mark Cavendish, surprise winner of the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.

D

D is for Defection.  Forth councillor Elaine Morris jumped from the Lib Dems into the arms of the SNP in July.  Councillor Morris said:   “Leaving the Lib Dems has been one of the most difficult decisions I have made but the SNP offer a clear political leadership, principled policies and vision for Edinburgh that I know I and many other Lib Dems across the city support”.

D is also for Diamond Jubilee.  Her Majesty celebrates 60 years on the throne next year and we’ve all been invited to join in the celebrations which centre on a June weekend.  We’ve certainly not heard the last of this – prepare for saturation coverage as the media goes into Royal overdrive.

E

E is for Europe and Eurozone.  The Eurozone crisis was one of the biggest stories of the year and promises to remain so this year too.  Put simply, too many countries have too much debt and can’t agree the best way to tackle the crisis.  This story will run and run in 2012, and it’s unlikely there will be a happy ending.

F

F is for Forth Bridge.  Thanks to advances in technology, they have at last stopped having to paint and repaint the Forth Bridge.  The ‘never-ending’ paint job finished in December.

F is also for Fireworks and one of the quirkiest news stories of the year.  Oban’s Guy Fawkes celebrations went badly wrong when a scheduled twenty minute fireworks display lasted barely a minute due to a ‘technical hitch’, with all the fireworks going off at once!  Happily for the people of Oban the show was reran later in the month, and lasted a good bit longer!

G

G is for Ghaddafi.  The Libyan dictator was captured and killed in October

G is for Gerry Rafferty, the talented but troubled Scottish songsmith whose classic songs include ‘Baker Street’ and ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’.  Gerry finally lost his battle with the bottle and died in January.

H

H is for Hearts and Hibs.  Hearts owner Vladimir Romanov seems to have fallen out of love with the game, leaving Hearts players waiting months for their wages.  And with Hibs languishing perilously close to the foot of the SPL despite changing their manager (again), have Edinburgh teams ever had a worse year?

I

I is for Inflation.  Despite efforts to control it, inflation remains stubbornly high at 4.8%.  Prices continue to rise while most people find their income – pensions and wages – falling in real terms.  Economic recovery?  Not any time soon.

J

J is for Jimmy Savile.  It’s many years since Jim fixed it for anyone, but the irrepressible DJ passed away in October.  Among many other achievements Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile OBE was the first and last presenter of BBC’s ‘Top of the Pops’.

J is also for Steve Jobs.  The Apple founder who gave us the Ipod, the Iphone and the Ipad also died in October.

K

K is for North Korea.  ‘Dear Leader’ Kim Jong-Il died last month and was replaced by his son Kim Jong-Un.  Will that mean policy changes in the world’s most secretive country?  No.  Increased tension around the South Korean border? Most definitely.

L

L is for Landslide.  The voting system meant it should never happen, but the SNP won 69 seats to gain a clear overall majority when they swept to victory in the Holyrood elections in May.

L is also for Leveson Inquiry.  The investigation into press standards and ethics  began in August following phone-hacking revelations and will run well into the New Year.  It’s already clear that phone hacking was not the work of just one rogue reporter but was widespread among tabloid newspapers.  Expect some more murky details of dubious practices to emerge.

M

M is for March, the month that saw the final publication of North Edinburgh News after thirty years following council budget cuts. The NEN was perhaps the highest profile casualty of the cuts, but March was a miserable month for all local voluntary projects as budget cuts brought about redundancies, reduced services and curtailed opening hours.

N-Z follows tomorrow

What were your highlights of 2011?  Email us at northedinnews@gmail.com

Shopping all done?  Presents wrapped?  Then it’s time to put your feet up, relax and enjoy the NEN’s Twelve Days of Christmas Quiz!

Below you’ll find the first letters of words in the first lines of twelve classic Christmas songs.  Can you name them all?

1.  TTIAHTNAH

2.  AIAMNCFAB

3.  WSGSUTC

4.  OTFDOC

5.  IDOAWC

6.  AYHUYSOYW

7.  AROHFITS

8.  WWITA

9.  CTTMPRPPP

10. WWYAMC

11. OCAYFJAT

12.  IWCEB

 

Send your answers to the NEN blog or email: northedinnews@gmail.com

There’s no prize – just a bit of festive fun – but we’ll give an honourable mention to all correct entries received before 31 December.  Good luck!

Licketyspit

Craigroyston Nursery and Primary 1 children are taking part in Lickety Leap – an exciting new interactive theatre project for Early years Children.

Licketyspit Theatre Company is based at North Edinburgh Arts and the group has performed shows including Molly Whuppie, Magic Spaghetti and Wee Witches at the arts centre. Lickety Leap is their first totally interactive show and is performed with small groups of children. It is a really memorable and enjoyable experience for the children and it has shown to have a big impact on their developing confidence, social skills, ability to work together and to problem solve.

Licketyspit has been funded to deliver Lickety Leap across Scotland and it’s all beginning here  in North Edinburgh’s Craigroyston Primary School!

“This group was great for the kids. My daughter loved it and when we went to see everything the kids had done their faces showed just how much they loved it. It is really good how it gets the kid’s imagination going so well with the simplest of thing” – Caitlin’s mum

“Lickey Leap has been a fun-filled, exciting and entertaining project which children, parents and staff have enjoyed; it allows children to be actively involved in a fun adventure to find their ‘heart’s desire’” – (Craigroyston PS Staff)