How well do you think the UK and Scottish Parliaments currently work together? The UK government has ensured an amicable working relationship is not possible through demonstrably ignoring or dismissing the Scottish Government's measured and intelligent representations about Scotland's interests and about the impacts of Brexit in Scotland. Witness the UK government's insulting dismissal of the Scottish Government's report on the economic impacts of Brexit, which was subsequently found to very closely mirror the UK government's own findings, when these were leaked soon afterwards. In short, the UK government has sought to sabotage any benefits of devolution through maintaining control of key economic and tax raising powers, by demonstrating a great deal of ill will towards the legitimate democratically elected government of Scotland, thereby damaging constructive working relationships and by controlling state media so this narrative is distorted and the facts, which clearly all support this summary, are mainly hidden from the view of the public at large. How could the UK and Scottish Governments work together better? If the UK government were to start displaying a genuine spirit of partnership and mutual respect, as should exist between two nations of a supposed “union”, the two governments would start working together more constructively. This has always been the approach of the Scottish Government and the question is disingenuous given the obvious, destructive approach taken by the UK government, which has intensified under the current UK government administration. However, even if the UK government were to suddenly start adopting this approach, the current limitations of devolution, which allow the gross misuse of Scottish resources for UK government priorities that are not relevant to Scotland, mean that an imbalance will continue to exist and the only way to address that is for Scotland to become independent so that it can control all of its own resources and put them to work for Scotland. This will allow Scotland to realise its status as an affluent and influential nation, which devolution currently prevents. How should the UK and Scottish Parliaments take better care to ensure Scottish and UK Ministers work together in the best interests of Scotland? The UK government has proven itself utterly incapable, under successive administrations, of adopting anything like an approach that gives Scotland’s interests any priority. Their approach is to destroy as much of Scotland’s confidence in itself as possible through creation of a “poor relation” mentality, when the reality for anyone who cares to look beyond the vacuous state sponsored headlines is exactly the opposite. They dissemble and prevaricate over policy statements, fail to honour commitments and generally ignore or dismiss Scotland’s interests if they run counter to their own idealogical interests, or indeed to their own venal self-interest. And then they disguise and distort all of this via a compliant media. The UK parliament would have to undergo some kind of unprecedented transformation that involved a massive injection of integrity to even begin to “take better care” under these circumstances. The best interests of Scotland will be served through an independent Scotland working closely, cooperatively and constructively with its neighbours, including England.

1.../ How well do you think the UK and Scottish Parliaments currently work together? A very strange question considering the U.K. parliament has Scottish MPs sitting in it. It seems obvious at present they will never get on because of a few reasons, complete ignorance in the part of the English Government in not allowing devolved parts of the U.K. into discussions, the English Government know this is wrong and so does everybody else. The English Government totally ignored Scotlands voters who voted 62% to stay within the E.U. Any Government with a modicom of sense would have discussed this which would have allowed England to still be able to trade while the devolved parts of the U.K. would or could have remained in the E.U. The English Government cannot preach that the devolved parts are equals and then create division. 2.../How could the UK and Scottish Governments work together better? Without a shadow of a doubt, communication and all devolved parts of the U.K. respected with open and meaningful discussion, an agreement needs to be drawn up for this quickly to avoid social unrest which is waiting in the wings. If devolved areas have agreements in black and white this would encourage clean and positive dialogue between the devolved parts of the U.K. 3.../How should the UK and Scottish Parliaments take better care to ensure Scottish and UK Ministers work together in the best interests of Scotland? While you have English MPs standing up in the House of Commons and berating Scotland openly while the speaker as usual either ignores the slander or runs roughshod over the comment as some sort of perverted joke there will always be problems between the English Government and the Scottish Government working cleanly together...Scotland's MPs need respect as they are representing the public who voted for them. Dialogue via discussions, for all devolved parts of the U.K. is paramount and it is an affront to the English Government that they shy away from talking openly, unlike the Scottish Government who are not gagged! Surely after this time the English Government must know Scotland is browned off with all the manipulation going on to keep all devolved parts of the U.K. in the dark, for example anything true about Brexit then we all have learned listen to the overseas news media because it does not come from the U.K. TV or newspapers ...Scotland is ready to either discuss the future or discuss independence. Scotland has proven it does not need any other part of the U.K. to flourish and grow, as it is the only Country in the U.K. that can.

The UK and Scottish Parliaments work reasonably well together in some ways, but that is entirely dependent on any given political party. Obviously SNP MPs and MSPs are in close communication. With the other parties this is less clearly the case, for example Conservative MPs are advocating policy in the UK parliament that is the opposite of the policy position of their Scottish counterparts. The most problematic area is allowing the UK Parliament to be a platform for raising grievances about the Scottish Government when there is no right of reply. This happens week in, week out at Prime Ministers Questions and in other debates, and the standing orders of the House of Commons need to be amended to prevent this as it only serves to cause further confusion about the relevant competencies of the Scottish and UK governments. I believe the Scotland Office is an unhelpful barrier that prevents direct discussions and joint working between UK ministers and their counterparts in the Scottish Government. This is compounded when the Scottish Secretary is excluded from key Cabinet discussions such as those surrounding the UK's Brexit policy. There is no longer a legitimate role for the Scotland Office and it should be replaced with direct communications between UK and Scottish ministers. The obvious forum for this would be the JMC, which needs to evolve into a UK-wide council of ministers. This would allow for close working where devolved and reserved matters overlap, and would also allow for collaboration between the respective Ministers responsible for wholly devolved areas such as agriculture and the environment. This will in turn allow for the agreement of common UK frameworks post-Brexit and avoid the current constitutional crisis caused by UK ministers seeking to overrule the devolved administrations.

The SNP and others would better serve the Scottish people by supporting and helping to UK government in securing a positive and meaningful Brexit. The referendum on the UK to leave the EU was a democratic decision. Not upholding the will of the British people on this will be the end of democracy.

You asked for opininions on Scottish Devolution and Brexit. Both issues are marred by the same problem, Scottish and British voters who lost, will not accept the results of either the Scottish Independence Referendum 2014 or the Brexit Referendum 2016. Therein lies a problem for democracy in the UK. I believe in the smallest State possible. Therefore I want to leave the EU, an expensive disaster overseen by an unelected Commission. An institution so anti-democratic that two years ago I got my first opportunity to vote and express my opinion, I am 52 years old. I would like to see Holyrood closed. Building the monstrosity gave an indication of things to come. Designed by a Spanish architect to resemble a shanty town with details of upside down boats and sticks, it cost an eye-watering £430 million, ten times the estimated cost. When Tony Blair threw the bone of Devolution at Scotland to get elected, he reckoned that the SNP nor any other party would ever be a threat and that devolution would halt calls for independence from nationalists. With early devolution Jack McConnell in Edinburgh did much the same as Tony Blair in London, so little point in having a seperate assembly. Labour's plan backfired spectacularly when David Cameron allowed the Independence Referendum in 2014 with dangerously few rules or conditions attached. Political commentators around the globe crowed about the marvellous engagement in politics, the activism and enthusiasm. I can assure them it was not fun or engaging, it ripped the country apart. If you were a unionist you kept your mouth shut. The Independence Referendum was incredibly divisive, tearing apart families, friends and communities. Scotland is still riven. Nationalist support is waning but only last week one SNP supporter suggested that Sturgeon "Get rid of the snow by sprinkling the ashes of dead yoons" (a yoon is a unionist for anyone not accustomed with the parlance of the nationalist). The Scottish Assembly (it is not a parliament, it was re-named by the SNP) now costs £100 million per annum in running costs. One need only look around Scotland to realise that this money would be better spent on infrastructure, job creation and education. With the SNP in power at Hoyrood for over a decade, debating focuses on independence (which the majority of Scots voted against), identity politics (and much bleating about equality, ironically from the woman with the top job in Scotland) and changing policies and institutions just for the sake of being different to Westminster/England (eg the single police force which the SNP were advised would incur VAT payments but they pressed on with and it has been a disaster). Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are continually working outwith their remit on issues such as Brexit and snubbing the President of America. A note to Theresa May on the final point, you should not be damaging the relationship of the UK and USA either. Both women are in top jobs, running two great countries, it would be wonderful if they could both get off their knees and stop whining about irrelevant nonsense. The world is moving on and power is shifting to the East while they navel gaze and imagine they live in the 1970s. You asked how the UK and Scottish Parliament could work better together: Close Holyrood and return to Scotland having a Secretary of State. The SNP have no interest in working together with Westminster. It suits their purposes to blame Westminster for every problem. They already have adequate powers to run Scotland well and impress the population but they refuse to do so. The fourth estate do not hold Holyrood to account, neither are the judiciary accountable - a dangerous situation. It would also save millions of pounds being wasted money on pet SNP projects eg changing our road signs to include Gaelic - a language which most Scots have never spoken. The UK is wasting vast sums of money duplicating institutions in Scotland and Wales. It is wasted because in Scotland certainly, things are getting worse not better. One example is education where we have slipped from being amongst the top ten countries in most subjects to being below position twenty on international tables. Close Holyrood and give the British voters Brexit which they voted for. Explain to the First Minister that Brexit is outwith her remit, Britain is the EU member not Scotland. If Britain leaves Scotland leaves. Explain to the Prime Minister that British voters voted to leave the EU and she also needs to get on with her day job. The UK does not need to grovel to Europe, they need us a lot more than we need them, that is a strong negotiating position. Get off your knees and do the job voters asked you to do.

i thought we were a union of equals and yet so many on here dont want to hear what concerns Scotland, Wales, NI and Gibraltar have, thats the real problem, that and all those hush hush documents on brexit that Westminster refuse to release due to the fact it doesnt fit in with the narrative that everything will be full of roses

Right now the biggest problem, being Scottish, revolves around the Brexit disaster because that's just what it is; a Disaster. As far as I can respect the outcome of the English/Welsh ('UK') majority vote for Brexit' I cannot countenance the fact that the UK Government has flat out ignored Scottish calls for a voice in negotiations despite the FACT that Scotland voted to remain in Europe as did Northern Ireland. More to the point, for those that say Scotland voted to remain part of the UK; One rather salient point emerges that is skimmed over so many times it's beggars belief; Yes, Scotland voted to remain part of the UK but only after promises made by the UK Government that 'a vote for the UK is a vote to protect Scotland's place in the EU' along with other 'promises' such as a 'Permanent Scottish parliament' when, wouldn't you know, the UK government stopped short of making it legally permanent in short, they left the door open that Westminster can close the Scottish Parliament if they wish to. Scotland should be an Independant country and I don't say that from any 'anti-English' sentiment or hatred of any sort. Logically, the UK government has failed so many times on keeping it's word it seems the only workable solution for Scotland and the people of Scotland. Yes, there will be challenges to that it goes without saying, but they would be our challenges to meet as we see fit - It's time Scotland stood up for itself. As far as how the two parliaments can work better together, well, that seems particularly obvious. Stop ignoring us, and start having meaningful discussion, co-operation and action. Unless and until you do, Independence remains the course you've forced us onto.

How well do you think the UK and Scottish Parliaments currently work together? As well as can be expected under the circumstances. How could the UK and Scottish Governments work together better? Devolve all powers fully to the Scottish Government- this is the only way to save the Union- without full and complete devolution of powers Scotland has no choice except Independence. How should the UK and Scottish Parliaments take better care to ensure Scottish and UK Ministers work together in the best interests of Scotland? Close the Scotland Office- it is a waste of money and only serves to undermine Scotland. Devolve all powers fully to Scotland.

Right now the biggest problem, being Scottish, revolves around the Brexit disaster because that's just what it is; a Disaster. As far as I can respect the outcome of the English/Welsh ('UK') majority vote for Brexit' I cannot countenance the fact that the UK Government has flat out ignored Scottish calls for a voice in negotiations despite the FACT that Scotland voted to remain in Europe as did Northern Ireland. More to the point, for those that say Scotland voted to remain part of the UK; One rather salient point emerges that is skimmed over so many times it's beggars belief; Yes, Scotland voted to remain part of the UK but only after promises made by the UK Government that 'a vote for the UK is a vote to protect Scotland's place in the EU' along with other 'promises' such as a 'Permanent Scottish parliament' when, wouldn't you know, the UK government stopped short of making it legally permanent in short, they left the door open that Westminster can close the Scottish Parliament if they wish to. Scotland should be an Independant country and I don't say that from any 'anti-English' sentiment or hatred of any sort. Logically, the UK government has failed so many times on keeping it's word it seems the only workable solution for Scotland and the people of Scotland. Yes, there will be challenges to that it goes without saying, but they would be our challenges to meet as we see fit - It's time Scotland stood up for itself. As far as how the two parliaments can work better together, well, that seems particularly obvious. Stop ignoring us, and start having meaningful discussion, co-operation and action. Unless and until you do, Independence remains the course you've forced us onto.

Devolution, The current Scottish (SNP ) Government appear both unwilling and unable to work with anyone or anything that includes UK, British, English or similar in their title. They adopt such hatred for anything that does not share their separatist views, Independence is their sole goal and nothing else matters. They recklessly waste taxpayers money, increase our taxes to cover their own virtue projects including baby boxes, new benefits agency hq in Dundee etc meanwhile education, the police, NHS are all in trouble financially and cannot recruit. They have had 10 years to make a positive difference and have succeeded only to separate a country , reduce education standards, destroy the SNHS and tax hard working people even more. It much more than a personal view and can be backed up by as much physical evidence as is required. The divisive nature of the SNP only furthers their own goals and they are incapable of taking in a bigger picture. At an annual cost in excess of £100m the Holyrood parliament is not fit for purpose nor is it value for money. Brexit, It is obvious that the EU negotiators are attempting to punish the UK for stepping out of line and they seem quite happy to openly threaten the UK. There are so many free trade deals with countries outside the EU in existence yet the EU are incapable of making the same arrangement for the UK. We are net contributors and it should be applauded that the PM wants to meet our commitments as members but I feel this is not being taken advantage of. Whilst my knowledge of all the ins and outs of the process is limited, with all the indications( finance, trade with other countries, Growth, investment in the UK etc) of Brexit being good why are we not playing a tougher hand and just threatening to leave without paying anything, without a transition period, without a hard border in Ireland etc? We can operate under WTO rules for up to 10 yrs by which time numerous other countries will have left the EU also. The EU are operating like bullies and I believe that we should stand up to bullies and accurately reflect the brexit vote, brexit means out of the EU, out of the EU single market, out of the ECJ and give the UK its pride back