Professor Sir Kenneth Calman has been appointed chair of the Scottish Parliament Commission, set up by the parliament’s pro-union parties to review devolution.
The Commission has been set up to examine the current constitutional arrangements and examine the dynamics of devolution, with any conclusions looking to play a constructive role in Scotland’s future.
The review has the support of the three unionist parties in the Scottish Parliament – the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour. The appointment of the other members of the review will be drawn from a cross session of Scottish society, and will be announced in due course.
The review also has the support of the UK government, with Prime Minister Gordon Brown saying: “The Cabinet today discussed and approved the establishment of a Commission to review the Scotland Act. The terms of reference of this commission are those set out in a motion passed by the Scottish Parliament on 6 December 2007.”
The term of reference is: “To review the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998 in the light of experience and to recommend any changes to the present constitutional arrangements that would enable the Scottish Parliament to better serve the people of Scotland, that would improve the financial accountability of the Scottish Parliament and that would continue to secure the position of Scotland within the United Kingdom.” However the Commission will not examine independence.
The Commission is expected to produce an interim report by the end of the year, and will have its first meeting next month. Calman said: “It is a privilege to have been appointed to the chair of the Commission at one of the most interesting points in the history of devolution in Scotland. It is a genuine opportunity to take stock of what the settlement has achieved to date and that challenges that it may have to address in years to come.”
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Des Browne, added: “I warmly welcome the appointment of Professor Sir Kenneth Calman to the chair of the Commission. It has an important remit and it is essential we allow it to carry out its work with independently and with due consideration of the issues. The UK Government and Scottish Parliament will rightly offer the support it needs to operate thoroughly and effectively as it carries out its work programme.”
Calman is the current chancellor of Glasgow University, and his previous posts include Chief Medical Officer in both Scotland and England.
The Scottish Parliament's vote for the constitutional Commission came after the Holyrood government launched its "national conversation", which is examining the case for independence.
SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said: "Without the SNP’s victory in May and the launch of the National Conversation this opposition review would not be taking place.
“Crucially the National Conversation, which looks at all the options available to Scotland, is taking place not in a political bubble but across Scotland with the Scottish people - who must have the final say over any constitutional change in a referendum.
“To say that independence is not an issue demonstrates just how out of touch with the people this review is – the last poll to put the question in a referendum format found an increase in support for independence to 40 per cent, just 4 points behind the status quo.”
He added: "With Westminster already calling for powers to be handed back, I hope Sir Kenneth Calman will note the lead taken by the Scottish Government on Climate Change - with higher targets and greater ambition which the UK government is now following, and the more successful Scottish response to Foot and Mouth.
"The review should learn one important lesson from the National Conversation. Instead of debating Scotland’s future in a political bubble, the opposition parties must be prepared to put their proposals out to the public not just for debate but for decision in a referendum."
Readers have left 2 comments. 1. Independent Scotland
Anonymous, Unregistered It is great news that Scotland will have a opportunity in a referendum. I think Independent Scotland would be better for all.
English People will vote a Tory Government soon and that Government has done nothing for Scotland. 2. Pro union devolution review launched
Anonymous, Unregistered I hope the vote for an independent Scotland settles the issue for a generation, however my guess is the referendum question will be suitably vague enough to allow it to be interpereted anyway the politicians feel
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