LABOUR CHALLENGED TO BRING IN CALMAN POWERS NOW.
GENERAL ELECTION DELAY A "DECEIT ON SCOTLAND"
The SNP today challenged the Labour Government to implement the proposals from the Calman Commission on airguns, drink driving, speed limits, control of elections and borrowing powers without any further delay.
It is expected Labour will push the Calman proposals into the long grass putting any changes back to after a General Election.
David Cameron has made clear he will not introduce the Calman proposals if elected, in his first term [3].
The challenge comes as the Queen’s Speech sets out UK legislation up to the general election. The Scottish Government has already prepared the orders that could see the powers on which all parties and Calman supposedly agree transferred immediately.
SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP said:
“Time is up for the Calman Commission. If Labour is serious about more powers for the Scottish Parliament the Queen’s speech must include actual legislation before the General Election not simply warm words and empty promises.
“It’s time for Jim Murphy to offer more than consultation or election bribes– the Scottish Government has prepared the legislation, these powers could be transferred immediately. There is no good reason for delay.
“Labour cannot hide their true colours behind more deliberation – the Calman Commission backs these powers, the opposition parties back these powers, the Scottish Government backs transferring these powers – it seems the only people holding back are Gordon Brown and Jim Murphy.
“Anything less than a full commitment to transfer powers ahead of the general election will expose the Calman Commission as a deceit practised on the people of Scotland and Jim Murphy as nothing more than a busted flush.”
Information,
1. Interviewed on BBC Newsnight Scotland on 15th June 2009, Sir Kenneth Calman himself said of his report: “I think there are lots of bits, as I mentioned, which I think can be implemented quickly and easily without too much fuss, others will take a bit of time to think through”.
2. In the Times yesterday the UK Labour Government suggested any moves to transfer powers would be put back until after the General Election http://www.timesonline.co.uk/
3. In an interview in July a source close to David Cameron said: “You could see a set of powers agreed but I don’t see the powers being enacted and in use at the Scottish parliament certainly within its next parliamentary term which takes it to 2015.”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/
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