PM Arrives in Glasgow With ‘An Offer’ for Scotland; Perth Hopes It Is a Bypass, Settles for a Biscuit
Andy Burnham meets John Swinney and Rhun ap Iorwerth with proposals for the devolved governments. Perth draws up its own wishlist, mostly about the A9 and parking.
Glasgow, where the offer was made. Perth awaits details by post. Photo: Colin, “Glasgow City Chambers - Banqueting Hall - 3”, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, travelled to Glasgow today to meet Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and Wales’s First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, bringing with him what aides described only as “an offer” for each devolved government.
In Perth, which was not invited, the news sparked feverish speculation. “An offer,” said a man waiting for the 7 bus on South Street. “That’s what the carpet shop says. Then you get in and it’s only the rugs.”
The Perthetic has compiled the city’s wishlist in case the PM has a pen handy: a finished A9; a pool that everyone agrees on; a bus that arrives at the same time as the timetable; and, for Aberfeldy, someone who can explain Texas.
Political observers note that “an offer” is a classic negotiating technique, related to “a conversation”, “a framework” and “a meaningful process going forward”, all of which are known to be impossible to wrap.
Mr Swinney is expected to take the offer away and study it carefully. Perth has asked whether, while he’s studying it, he could check if it comes with a bridie.
The real story: Scottish politics (BBC News)
Letters to the Editor
The views expressed are those of the reader, and frankly that's on them.
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If the offer isn’t a dualled A9 then I’m not interested.
— Moira S., South Inch, 30 October 2026 -
It’ll be a working group. It’s always a working group.
— Kenny J., Crieff, 30 October 2026 -
A bridie would honestly be a better offer than most I’ve had from Westminster.
— Fiona T., Perth, 30 October 2026
Write to the Editor