Former UK PM Gordon Brown says country could become 'failed state' without reforms

former Labour Prime Minister of United Kingdom has recently warned that country must reform how it is governed or risk becoming a “failed state”. In an op-ed article published in Daily Telegraph, Gordon Brown wrote that COVID-19 pandemic has exposed “tensions” between Whitehall and nations and regions. While speaking about people’s lack of faith in country’s governance, Brown said that UK requires immediate reforms. He also urged PM Boris Johnson to set up a commission to review how country is run. 

former PM wrote that pandemic has brought to surface tensions and grievances that have been simmering for years between Downing Street and various parts of UK. He added that he believes choice is w between a reformed state and a failed state. He even pointed to “bitter disputes” over issues such as lockdown restrictions and furlough. 

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Brown went on to say that it is indeed Scotland where dissatisfaction is so deep that it threatens end of UK. He wrote that complaint is that Whitehall does t fully understand country it is supposed to govern. While pointing towards elected leaders, he claimed that local kwledge has been igred and y are rarely consulted by officials. former leader also said that outlying communities feel y are “forgotten men and women, virtually invisible to Whitehall”. 

United Kingdom is currently facing a lot of crises at once, including Brexit and coronavirus pandemic. Brown believed that bonds which hold England, Wales, Scotland and rrn Ireland toger are w weakening. He called on UK PM and said that he should reform how UK is governed and “must urgently rediscover” what holds country toger and what is driving it apart. 

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Scotland seeks referendum on independence 

Meanwhile, Scottish National Party anunced to hold a referendum on independence if party wins a majority in May’s elections. As per SNP Scottish Government plans, Scotland parliament will adopt bill as law if May elections garner a pro-independence majority in 129-member chamber. It is worth ting that Johnson had stressed that second referendum would "continue political stagnation Scotland has seen for past decade” at a presser. 

Johnson opposed second referendum for Scotland, saying that it should be “once in a generation”. Johnson had approved Scotland’s 2014 referendum, which was backed by voters with 55-45 per cent. He refused to approve second referendum saying that two EU referendums in Britain, in 1975 and or in 2016, were issued at a major 41-year gap. second referendum was to be decided in consultation with Westminster parliament but Scotland asserted that its parliament will pass bill preparing for an independence voting despite UK’s objection. This could challenge UK to take legal action against referendum, as an independence vote without Westminster parliament’s authorisation would be illegal. 

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