SNP RESPOND TO QUEEN’S SPEECH

SNP RESPOND TO QUEEN’S SPEECH

LABOUR CHALLENGED TO BRING IN CALMAN POWERS NOW

GENERAL ELECTION DELAY A "DECEIT ON SCOTLAND"

Responding to the Queen’s Speech today (Wednesday) the SNP challenged the Labour Government to implement the proposals from the Calman Commission on areas where there should now be unanimity – air weapons, drink-drive and speed limits, the running of Scottish Parliament elections, and the prescription of controlled substances, along with borrowing powers – without any further delay. The Scottish Government has already published the Scottish Parliamentary Orders needed for the transfer to Holyrood of responsibilities specified by the Calman Commission.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP said:

“This is less of a legislative programme and more of a closing down sale by a tired government that is out of time.

“It is clear that time is up for the Calman Commission. If Labour were serious about more responsibilities for the Scottish Parliament, the Speech would have included actual legislation before the General Election, not simply empty promises. There wasn’t even a commitment to implementing the Calman proposals – only taking them forward – which must mean that Labour have already junked key recommendations. The Lib Dems must be in despair at having been sold the ‘Calman con’.

“The Scottish Government has prepared the necessary legislation, these powers could be transferred immediately for the good of Scotland. There is no good reason for delay.

“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 Scotland back are Gordon Brown and Jim Murphy.

“Anything less than a full commitment to transfer powers to Scotland ahead of the general election will expose the Calman Commission as a deceit practised on the people of Scotland – and Jim Murphy as the man responsible for the ‘Calman con’.”