CALMAN COMMISSION REPORT.

CALMAN COMMISSION REPORT.

“PACE OF CONSTITUTIONAL PROGRESS RUNS ON SNP PETROL”

Commenting on today’s publication of the Calman Commission’s report, SNP MSP Dr Alasdair Allan said it was clear that SNP success was driving the pace of constitutional progress in Scotland.

Dr Allan pointed out how it was the Hamilton by-election that kick-started the debate on devolution in 1967, the 1988 Govan by-election which saw Labour forced into the constitutional convention, and the SNP’s 2007 election victory which led to the Calman Commission being set up in the first place.

Commenting, Dr Allan said:

“Over two and a half years ago, the then First Minister Jack McConnell argued that: ‘It can't be other than sensible for us to make the fullest possible use of those powers before demanding lots more’ (John P Mackintosh lecture, 24 October 2006). Then, Labour were the only party to categorically rule out more responsibilities for Scotland – a position which Gordon Brown reinforced in the 2007 election campaign.

“Now, look where we are two and a half years later. The pace of change and London party u-turns is entirely explained by the SNP’s election success and the Scottish Government’s National Conversation. The whole process is running on SNP petrol.

"The SNP’s Hamilton victory in 1967 kick started the modern debate on Scottish self-government, the 1988 Govan win forced the pace which led to the creation of a Scottish Parliament, and the proposals to move Holyrood’s powers forward are entirely a consequence of the SNP’s historic election victory two years ago.

“Continued progress for Scotland depends on the continued success of the SNP, and here the prospects are excellent, with the SNP having won the European election in Scotland, and now leading in the polls for the next Westminster General Election. The trends in Scottish politics are all going in the direction of the SNP, and the cause of equality and independence for Scotland.

"There are major issues for the Calman parties to answer - not least the LibDems who have had federalism rejected and have now surrendered on returning some powers to Westminster - but the debate is now moving apace.

“And the SNP believe that Scotland needs full fiscal autonomy – including our 90 per cent share of North Sea revenues – and the Calman Commission is totally wrong to reject financial responsibility for Scotland, which goes against the evidence of its expert group as far as oil is concerned.

“The SNP have a clearly defined policy – independence and equality for Scotland – and we are very confident that it will prevail in a referendum when the people have the opportunity to choose. That is the best and simplest solution for Scotland. Anything less risks being a messy fudge.”