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Scottish Independence: Call for pro-Union devolution plan | Scottish Independence: Call for pro-Union devolution plan |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander is to urge all pro-Union parties to agree to a joint approach to Scotland's constitutional future. | Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander is to urge all pro-Union parties to agree to a joint approach to Scotland's constitutional future. |
He will say the parties should offer a "shared commitment" to draft a "new vision" for Scotland in the event of a No vote in the referendum. | He will say the parties should offer a "shared commitment" to draft a "new vision" for Scotland in the event of a No vote in the referendum. |
Mr Alexander argues the constitutional debate has become "arid". | Mr Alexander argues the constitutional debate has become "arid". |
Nationalists have called on the Unionist parties to offer their plans for Holyrood before the 2014 vote. | Nationalists have called on the Unionist parties to offer their plans for Holyrood before the 2014 vote. |
In a lecture to be delivered later, the senior Labour MP will make the case for all the parties opposing independence to agree to help form a national convention which could look at the powers of the Scottish Parliament. | |
Mr Alexander will re-state his own opposition to independence, which he claims runs counter to the concept of forming and retaining close links with neighbours. | Mr Alexander will re-state his own opposition to independence, which he claims runs counter to the concept of forming and retaining close links with neighbours. |
In that context, he believes an agreed approach by the parties committed to the Union would be a "tangible answer" to the question of what happens if Scotland votes No to independence. | In that context, he believes an agreed approach by the parties committed to the Union would be a "tangible answer" to the question of what happens if Scotland votes No to independence. |
He told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "I believe a national convention, taking place after the issue of independence has been resolved, offers us the opportunity - not just as politicians, but for a cross-section of civic society - to discuss, deliberate and decide together what the vision for Scotland could be over the next decade. | |
"If there is one certainty it is that after the issue of the independence question is resolved next September there will be discussions about how devolution can be improved. | |
"My plea is that we can actually broaden that conversation, so that we're not just talking about democratic renewal, we are talking about democratic, social and economic renewal. | |
"A national convention is a very practical answer." | |
Nationalists have argued the Unionist parties should spell out, before the referendum vote, any new powers they would grant to Holyrood. | Nationalists have argued the Unionist parties should spell out, before the referendum vote, any new powers they would grant to Holyrood. |