Posts tagged with devo-max
Scottish Labour today welcomed an article by Jim Sillars in Holyrood magazine, in which he stated that First Minister Alex Salmond has “winged it” on the issues of defence and currency and argued the SNP should put aside its “fraudulent” claim that it can implement devo-max.
In his Holyrood magazine column, former SNP MP and deputy leader Jim Sillars argued that the Scottish Government has no mandate to offer devo-max as a second question in an independence referendum as further devolution could only be delivered by the Westminster Parliament.
Sillars wrote: “If there is to be a devo-max question, for it to be capable of being delivered, there must be a Westminster government white paper and a written guarantee that if the Scots vote for the version set out, it will be delivered by the only parliament that can do so – Westminster.”
Responding to the article, Labour say Sillars’ comments will make “embarrassing reading” for the SNP.
Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Patricia Ferguson MSP, said:
“This is a powerful intervention from a very senior SNP figure and will make deeply uncomfortable reading for Alex Salmond when he returns from his lecture tour of England. Jim Sillars has devastatingly exposed three strategic mistakes from the SNP in the opening weeks of the campaign.
“Suddenly deciding to support the controversial Tory defence review – shedding jobs and downgrading bases in Scotland – raises more questions than it answers.
“The SNP have stumbled into a position on currency that is, indeed, deeply absurd. They want to keep the same currency at present, but surrender all economic and political control over it. Not only is that incoherent, but it relies on Scotland finding an exemption from strict EU rules which, even the SNP’s own economic advisers admit, would ...
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The Scottish Government has no mandate to offer devo-max as a second question in an independence referendum, as further devolution could only be delivered by the Westminster Parliament, former SNP MP and deputy leader Jim Sillars has said. In a column in the latest edition of Holyrood, Sillars says that devo-max would have to be implemented “by the only parliament than can do so – Westminster”, and suggests that the SNP leadership is acceding to demands for a second question in order to set itself up as the “people’s champion of devo-max” in the 2016 Scottish elections following a failed independence referendum. “Devo-max-in-our-hands-alone, is an illusion gripping Scottish minds,” writes Sillars. “Take, for example, the demand made by the SNP that Scotland be given power to set the rate of [...]
“Time is running out to build and argue a case for keeping Scotland in the Union,” according to former First Minister Henry McLeish. Writing exclusively for Holyrood, McLeish argues that the Union will have to change and modernise and calls for a “new narrative”. McLeish writes: “Saying ‘no’ to independence is the right thing to do, but it is not enough. “We need a new narrative, which for now is being called devo-max, one that embraces the idea of an autonomous Scotland.” Scots are already warming to the idea and there is a desire to see an “inspiring alternative to a resentful unionism and to independence” put forward, McLeish says, as he calls for a broader debate on constitutional and political change. “It would be truly remarkable in a modern [...]
Good morning – here are the top 10 stories in Scotland this morning: Crime and punishment in Scotland: Reported rapes at five-year high, but convictions drop (Scotsman) Anti-bigot law to be passed by the Scottish Parliament (BBC Scotland) Experts warn against the abolition of corroboration (Press & Journal) Scottish retail figures ‘worst on record’ (BBC Scotland) Children’s hearings boss is suspended (Herald) Labour’s Lord Foulkes backs ‘devo max’ bill amendment (BBC Scotland) ‘Big man’ train passenger to be quizzed by police after ticketless student makes official complaint (Daily Record) Doctor brands superbug reports as ‘unfair’ (Herald) SNP attacked over election delay to ferry service review (Herald) Property prices fall after summer ‘bounce’ (STV News) Scottish Parliament highlights: – 10.00: The Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee will hear from a panel [...]
Good morning – here are the top 10 stories in Scotland this morning: ‘Gay hate’ horror killing of barman (Sun) Labour’s Jim Murphy presses Salmond on ‘devo max’ issue (BBC Scotland) Windfarms ‘shock’ as turbine map revealed (Press & Journal) We could be sixth-richest nation in the world, says Swinney (Scotsman) SNP reveals route to independence (Scotsman) SNP reveals its £1m independence fund (Herald) Clinton wants Megrahi back in Scottish jail (Herald) ‘Ready for winter’ campaign launches (BBC Scotland) Fund ‘would boost Scottish video games industry’ (BBC Scotland) Universities ‘need good professional managers, not elected principals’ (Scotsman) For a full breakdown of Scottish Parliament business, check out today’s official Business Bulletin
