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Badenoch opens the door to reforming the Scotland Act to stop Holyrood blocking nuclear power

Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Opposition, signalled openness to curbing Holyrood's planning powers over nuclear energy, saying devolution is "a process and not a religion" — while her team barred The National from her…
Kemi Badenoch, Leader of the Opposition, signalled openness to curbing Holyrood's planning powers over nuclear energy, saying devolution is "a process and not a religion" — while her team barred The National from her…

Kemi Badenoch has signalled she could reform the Scotland Act to prevent the Scottish Government using planning powers to block new nuclear stations on reserved energy policy. Visiting Edinburgh, the Conservative leader said the SNP using devolved planning rules to frustrate UK Government priorities was "not what was intended" and that she would "find a way" to fix it. A source close to Badenoch had reportedly told journalists the party would review the Act and consider stripping Holyrood of powers for "better governance of the UK".

Badenoch said devolution "is a process and not a religion", but insisted no formal review had yet been agreed as party policy.

Shadow Scottish Secretary Harriet Cross accompanied Badenoch in Edinburgh as John Swinney warned that legal action remained an option should Holyrood's powers be curtailed.

Badenoch's position has reportedly drawn support from commentators who argue she is right to press Andy Burnham on the Union as Labour faces its own devolution pressures.

MoreThe TelegraphBadenoch is right to push Burnham on the UnionThe TelegraphBadenoch challenges Burnham to rule out Scottish referendumEvening StandardScottish devolution ‘a process and not a religion’ says BadenochThe HeraldKemi Badenoch says Scotland Act may need reform to force through nuclear powerYahoo News UKTories: Devolution hasn’t helped Scotland
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