CALMAN RULES OUT LIBDEMS' FEDERAL POLICY.

CALMAN RULES OUT LIBDEMS' FEDERAL POLICY.

Commenting on an article in the Scotsman today (Wednesday) which reports that the Calman Commission has ruled out the LibDems' policy of federalism - where sovereign power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. - SNP MSP Michael Matheson said: "Not content with ruling out independence, the Calman Commission now decrees that the LibDems’ federalism policy is also not even being considered. This can only be seen as a snub to Tavish Scott and the LibDems.. "The SNP Government will engage constructively with Calman to pursue the need for the Scottish Parliament to have real financial powers, including the ability to borrow, in order to help address the economic downturn. "But in terms of constitutional policy, the Calman Commission seems to be more focussed on retaining all sovereign power at Westminster than delivering a substantial new settlement for Scotland, which must be very concerning for the Lib Dems."