Back of an Envelope Job



Gordon Brown has given up his globetrotting lifestyle for the next week or so as the opinion polls continue to tighten in the Scottish independence referendum.

In Midlothian last night, the Scottish Labour leader (Johann Lamont), the UK Party leader (Ed Miliband) and head of the No campaign (Alistair Darling were all elbowed out of the way as Gordon made a case for the Scottish Parliament to be granted even more powers.

Now this is exactly the question, the so-called Devo Max question, which was kept off the referendum ballot paper by the Westminster based parties: Tories, Labour and Lib Dems.

Because it would have been too confusing to have two questions, allegedly, as if we Scots could not hold two thoughts in our heads at the same time.

So Westminster decided that the ballot paper would have only one question - "Should Scotland become an independent country?" - with no mention at al of Devo Max.

But now that the Yes campaign has the wind in its sails, Devo Max is making a comeback although the problem is that no one is quite sure what it means other than a commitment to new powers, if Scotland votes No on 18 September 2014.

Now that doesn't sound very democratic to me and it's all terribly vague as well, completely lacking in any detail, as if someone's making it all up on the back of an envelope.  

The Westminster parties are beginning to sound like Corporal Jones from 'Dad's Army' and this report from the BBC explains the mess they've managed to create.

Scottish independence: Pro-Union parties to back Scotland powers timetable
Image result for gordon brown at loanhead + images
Gordon Brown sets out plans to "enhance" powers of the Scottish Parliament

The three main pro-Union parties are expected to announce their backing for more powers for Scotland later.

It is understood the parties will support a timetable which was set out by former prime minister Gordon Brown.

The announcement comes as a new poll showed the rival Scottish independence referendum campaigns tied on 41% each.

Yes Scotland described the poll as "another breakthrough" while Better Together said it showed there was "no room for a protest vote".

The TNS poll of 990 people, conducted between 27 August and 4 September, put the proportion backing independence or supporting staying in the United Kingdom, tied on 41%, with 18% undecided.

That meant backing for a "Yes" vote was up from 38% last month, while support for a "No" vote was down from 46%.

The leaders of Scottish Labour, the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Liberal Democrats are expected to endorse the timetable which was set out by Mr Brown in a speech at the Loanhead Miners Welfare and Social Club in Midlothian on Monday evening, the main points of which are:


  • Work to begin on the new legislation on 19 September, the day after the referendum
  • A "command paper" to be published by the present UK government setting out all the proposals by end of October
  • A white paper to be drawn up by the end of November after a period of consultation setting out the proposed powers
  • A draft for a new Scotland Act to be published in January
A spokesman said Downing Street was "content with the proposed timetable", while Labour leader Ed Miliband said he wanted "the process of further devolution under way right after the referendum".

The three main Westminster parties have all set out individual proposals for more powers for the Scottish Parliament previously.

What are the No parties offering?

Scottish Labour - Its devolution commission has backed increased tax-varying powers and control over some elements of welfare and benefits policy. It said MSPs should be able to vary tax by up to 15p, giving them the option of restoring the 50p rate for top earners - but there would be no power to cut the upper income tax rate, which currently sits at 45p.


Scottish Conservatives - Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has said Scotland should be given full income tax powers, a key recommendation of the party's devolution commission, chaired by Lord Strathclyde. The commission, which said the income tax plan would see the Scottish Parliament accountable for 40% of the money it spent, also said there was a case for a share of Scottish VAT receipts being assigned to Holyrood.

Scottish Liberal Democrats - Its commission, chaired by former UK party leader Sir Menzies Campbell, proposes a federal structure for the UK. It would give the Scottish Parliament control over financial powers including inheritance tax, capital gains tax, income tax and a good share of corporation tax. It also called for the devolution of new borrowing powers; new Partnership Powers to require Holyrood and Westminster to work together; a role for the Supreme Court in resolving disputes and a new needs-based formula to eventually replace the Barnett Formula.

'Utter panic'

Yes Scotland Chief Executive Blair Jenkins said: "The No campaign's empty talk of more powers smacks of utter panic and desperation as they lose their lead in the polls.

"The people of Scotland will not trust the Tories to deliver powers that fall far short of what we need.

"The sure-fire way to achieve the full range of powers Scotland needs to build a fairer society and more prosperous economy is to vote Yes a week on Thursday.

"While the No campaign press the panic button and blame each other for a series of blunders, Yes will get on with the job of persuading more of our fellow citizens - both No and undecided voters - that we need a Yes vote to put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands."

He described the latest TNS poll as "another breakthrough poll which confirms that Yes has the momentum".

'Better way'

Blair McDougall, campaign director for the pro-UK Better Together campaign, said: "The last couple of days will be seen as the moment the referendum got real.

"We know from these polls that there is no room for a protest vote. The vote of any one of us could be crucial and could make the difference between the UK breaking up and staying together."

He added: "We are working flat out to get across our positive vision for Scotland that means we don't need to take on all the risks. There is a better way to build the better nation that we all want.

"We can have more powers for Scotland, backed up by the strength, security and stability of being part of the larger UK."


A referendum on whether Scotland should become independent is to take place
People resident in Scotland will be able to take part in the vote, answering the "yes/no" question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
The referendum will take place on Thursday, 18 September 2014
Go to the BBC's Scotland Decides page for analysis, background and explainers on the independence debate
Keep across the latest polls with our interactive guide.

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