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Enhanced Scottish devolution ‘must not be conditional on devolution elsewhere’ Enhanced Scottish devolution ‘must not be conditional on devolution elsewhere’
(about 1 hour later)
Further powers for Scotland must not be conditional on devolution elsewhere in the UK, according to one of seven principles agreed at the first cross-party talks of the Smith commission, which was set up to fast-track greater powers after the country rejected independence in a referendum last month.Further powers for Scotland must not be conditional on devolution elsewhere in the UK, according to one of seven principles agreed at the first cross-party talks of the Smith commission, which was set up to fast-track greater powers after the country rejected independence in a referendum last month.
The prime minister, David Cameron, was strongly criticised when he appeared to link further devolution for Scotland to the question of “English votes for English laws” in his speech the morning after the vote. David Cameron was criticised when he appeared to link further devolution for Scotland to the question of “English votes for English laws” in his speech the morning after the vote.
But representatives from all parties agreed on Wednesday that enhanced devolution should “not be conditional on the conclusion of other political negotiations elsewhere in the UK”.But representatives from all parties agreed on Wednesday that enhanced devolution should “not be conditional on the conclusion of other political negotiations elsewhere in the UK”.
Other broad principles include aiming to bring about “a durable but responsive democratic constitutional settlement”, not causing detriment to the UK as a whole and causing neither the UK nor Scottish government to gain or lose financially as a consequence of devolving a specific power.Other broad principles include aiming to bring about “a durable but responsive democratic constitutional settlement”, not causing detriment to the UK as a whole and causing neither the UK nor Scottish government to gain or lose financially as a consequence of devolving a specific power.
Describing the initial discussions as constructive, Lord Smith of Kelvin announced that practical guidelines for the discussions had also been agreed, which make clear that the parties involved should make no substantive comment on the talks until the final report has been published at the end of next month. The commission has yet to consider submissions from civic groups, the deadline for which is the end of October. Describing the initial discussions as constructive, Lord Smith of Kelvin said practical guidelines for the discussions had also been agreed, which make clear that the parties involved should make no substantive comment on the talks until the final report has been published at the end of next month. The commission has yet to consider submissions from civic groups, the deadline for which is the end of October.
The divergence between proposals from the main political parties remains dramatic. The Scottish National party has called for full responsibility for all tax and spending to be transferred to the Scottish parliament, while Labour wants Holyrood to be responsible for raising about 40% of its budget, and would also see the devolution of some elements of welfare policy, including housing benefit and attendance allowance.The divergence between proposals from the main political parties remains dramatic. The Scottish National party has called for full responsibility for all tax and spending to be transferred to the Scottish parliament, while Labour wants Holyrood to be responsible for raising about 40% of its budget, and would also see the devolution of some elements of welfare policy, including housing benefit and attendance allowance.
The Scottish Labour leader, Johann Lamont, warned after the meeting that the commission should not “become a hostage to the highest bidder, nor to powers for powers’ sake. We cannot end up with a settlement that will see the people of Scotland worse off.”The Scottish Labour leader, Johann Lamont, warned after the meeting that the commission should not “become a hostage to the highest bidder, nor to powers for powers’ sake. We cannot end up with a settlement that will see the people of Scotland worse off.”
But a group of trade unionists, academics and Labour leftwingers known as the Red Paper Collective published a manifesto to coincide with the start of the Smith talks calling for the party to revise its proposals of taking full control of income tax, arguing that this would allow Holyrood to create a more progressive tax regime.But a group of trade unionists, academics and Labour leftwingers known as the Red Paper Collective published a manifesto to coincide with the start of the Smith talks calling for the party to revise its proposals of taking full control of income tax, arguing that this would allow Holyrood to create a more progressive tax regime.