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Devolution 'review' gains support MSPs back devolution review body
(1 day later)
Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander is to call for the setting up of a Constitutional Commission to review the current devolution settlement. Plans for a new commission to rival the SNP government's "national conversation" on independence have been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
Ms Alexander is hoping to concentrate on the main debate at Holyrood rather than the illegal donation row, which has been rumbling for the past week. The group, proposed by Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander, would be set up to consider greater Holyrood powers.
Her motion has the support of both Tories and Lib Dems. The proposals were backed by the other pro-Union parties.
The government will claim that such a move confirms political trends are moving the SNP's way. The SNP's Roseanna Cunningham said the plan, contained in a Labour motion debated at Holyrood, offered "no ideas, no policies, no future".
'National conversation' Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives said that, almost a decade after the laws to create the Scottish Parliament were passed, the time was right to re-ignite the debate with an independently-chaired commission to "review" devolution.
Nationalist leader Alex Salmond set out his plans for a referendum on independence in August, despite opposition from the other main political parties. What the SNP is not going to agree on is a stunted debate on the basis of Wendy Alexander's thus far but no further so-called vision Roseanna CunninghamSNP MSP class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/briantaylor/2007/12/the_national_conversation_alte.html">Brian Taylor's blog
He said he wanted a "national conversation" and "no change was no longer an option". Holyrood bosses will now consider the best way of establishing the review, including the issue of making parliament responsible for raising at least some of the cash it spends.
On Thursday, Ms Alexander will call for an independent commission, funded by the Scottish Parliament, to review how Holyrood's financial accountability can be strengthened. Ms Alexander attacked the SNP's national conversation, saying the party had already decided on the only "acceptable" outcome, while also pointing out that there was currently not enough parliamentary support to stage an independence referendum.
It would also review how devolution could be improved generally, securing Scotland's position within the UK. Ms Alexander told MSPs: "I believe that Scots seek a future that gives them the chance to walk taller without having to walk out.
The Tories will support her, dismissing the SNP's goal of independence as the aspiration of a minority. "And I say to the SNP, be very careful before you attempt to strangle at birth an initiative based on what the people of Scotland want."
What matters, the real debate, the real challenge is taking devolution forward Annabel GoldieScottish Conservatives Tory leader Annabel Goldie said the national conversation was about "tearing up our constitution and ripping Britain apart", telling MSPs that the SNP did not have a monopoly on Scottish patriotism.
The Lib Dems will also lend their support for such a review. 'Side effects'
The government will say that the other parties are moving towards the position of the SNP. "The majority presence in this chamber comprising the Labour, Scottish Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, supports our continuing partnership with the United Kingdom," she told parliament.
Nationalists will also attack Ms Alexander, claiming many Tories and Lib Dems will be horrified to be effectively accepting her leadership on this issue. "The majority desire is to build on what we have and to take that forward."
They claim Ms Alexander broke electoral law by accepting a £950 donation to support her leadership campaign from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green, who is not a registered UK voter. Nicol Stephen, the Lib Dem leader, said that any increase in Holyrood powers must include tax raising controls.
Speaking ahead of the Holyrood debate, Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said: "The Scottish government's nationalist conversation is not the one that matters. "It will mean that a local income tax to replace the discredited council tax could be introduced straightforwardly - with all of the fairness and the benefits that can bring to the low paid and to pensioners," he said.
"What matters, the real debate, the real challenge is taking devolution forward. Independence is a minority aspiration. "And it can avoid the regressive side effects of the SNP's council tax freeze policy."
"We, the Scottish Conservatives, represent the mainstream of public opinion. Every poll on the constitution tells us so." The nationalists said they could agree on more powers
The two Green MSPs declined to back the Labour motion, or an SNP amendment welcoming the national conversation, which was defeated.
One of their number, Patrick Harvie, said the Scottish people must be given the ultimate say on Scotland's future in a wide-ranging referendum, instead of the issue being bound by "the narrow interests of today's politicians".
Ms Cunningham, who said the plan for a constitutional commission was an uncosted commitment, asked the chamber: "Does Wendy Alexander care? - no she doesn't.
"Because it isn't really about moving anything forward except herself, preferably moving herself as far away from the rest of the news agenda as possible."
The Perth MSP said the Nationalists could agree on more powers, on having a debate and asking voters to decide, adding: "What the SNP is not going to agree on is a stunted debate on the basis of Wendy Alexander's thus far but no further so-called vision.
"Vision? I suggest she goes out and invests in a pair of specs because, on the evidence, her vision is woefully short-sighted."