Splitting the home office in two

Sent to the Herald:  29th March 2007.  Not published.

Dear Sir

I note that the Prime Minister has now approved the Home Secretary’s
plans to split the Home Office in two, creating a distinct ‘new’ Home
Office and separate Ministry of Justice. This move has made me ponder
whether this is such a good idea given the stated position of both Mr
Blair and Dr Reid on other changes to the way the country is governed.

I recall regularly hearing over some years that “divorce is an
expensive business”, which could lead one to feel that the current
unitied efforts on justice and security in the Home Office are
“stronger together and weaker apart”. Was there not a “union dividend”
in having  justice and home affairs together? I await the strongest
condemnation of this move from the First Minister, Jack McDonald
(sic), if he can be located, and other Labour politicians. Then again,
perhaps “separation” is the best way forward for better government.

Yours for Scotland,