Labour ex-PM Gordon Brown is to outline his ideas for a new division of powers between Edinburgh and Westminster. Mr Brown, speaking in Glasgow, will argue for reform of the UK to deliver a power-sharing partnership of nations. Speaking separately, senior Lib Dem MP Sir Menzies Campbell will call for co-operation for enhanced devolution. Both say Scots want more devolution not independence - but the SNP says only a yes vote in the 18 September referendum will mean more power for Holyrood. Voters will be asked the yes/no question: Should Scotland be an independent country? Strong Britain Speaking in the east end of Glasgow later, Mr Brown will propose six major constitutional changes to revamp the UKs relationship with Scotland. The Fife MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is expected to say: I want to move us from the old highly-centralised, uniform Britain dominated by out-of-date ideas of an undivided Westminster sovereignty to a new diverse power-sharing, risk-sharing, resource-sharing UK which is best defined not as an old union but as a modern, constitutional partnership of nations. The six changes are: A new UK constitutional law to set out the purpose of the UK as pooling and sharing resources for the defence, security and well-being of the citizens of all four nations A constitutional guarantee of the permanence of the Scottish Parliament A new division of powers between Scotland and Westminster that gives Holyrood more powers in employment, health, transport and economic regeneration A new tax sharing agreement that balances the commitment of the UK to pool and share its resources with the need for accountability to the electors in all the places where money is spent New power-sharing partnerships to address shared problems on poverty, unemployment, housing need and the environment A radical transfer of powers downwards from Westminster and Edinburgh to local communities The former prime minister and chancellor has previously called for legislation to make the Scottish Parliament a permanent and irreversible part of the how Britain is governed, and proposed a written constitution to highlight the importance of pooling resources across the UK. Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote If people are asked to support the Union it is crucial that people know what the purpose is and it is no longer left unstated and unexplained” Gordon Brown But he said he was entering the nationwide debate on Scotlands future from Monday because a moment cannot now be lost in detailing the positive case for a strong Scottish parliament in a strong Britain. He said it was a far bigger, more modern, more forward looking - and ultimately more appealing - idea than that of a wholly separate state. The majority of Scottish people do not want separation but equally they do want change, not the status quo. It is now six months from the referendum and time to enact that change, Mr Brown is expected to say:. If people are asked to support the Union it is crucial that people know what the purpose is and it is no longer left unstated and unexplained. We need to draw up a statement of purpose, that we pool and share resources and risks for the benefit of all. ERR YOU COULD HAVE DONE THIS YOU WERE PM AFTER ALL
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 05:31:52 +0000