Recently declassified government papers reveal that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair believed the introduction of devolution had effectively “lanced the boil of separatism” in Scotland. The remarks, made during cabinet discussions in the early 2000s, reflect Blair’s view that the constitutional changes had satisfied nationalist demands.
According to the records, Blair argued there was little public appetite for further devolution beyond what had already been granted to Scotland and Wales. He considered the political climate at the time stable, with limited momentum for expanding the powers of devolved governments.
The release of the documents has drawn renewed interest amid ongoing debates about the future of the United Kingdom’s constitutional structure. With Scottish independence remaining a live political issue, Blair’s assessment provides historical context to the current discourse.
