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Scotland bill fails to honour devolution vow, says Sturgeon Nicola Sturgeon: don't rule out new independence referendum indefinitely
(34 minutes later)
Nicola Sturgeon has welcomed the UK government’s promise to enshrine the Scottish parliament permanently in law, but said it is still failing to honour its devolution promises after the referendum. Nicola Sturgeon has welcomed the UK government’s promise to enshrine the Scottish parliament in law, but said it would be wrong to rule out another referendum on independence.
The first minister said there were “a whole host” of issues that needed to be addressed in the Scotland bill now going through Westminster before it would meet the pledges made by UK leaders in “the vow” just before polling in last year’s independence referendum. In a speech on Friday to mark a year since the referendum, Sturgeon said she respected the result but told David Cameron he was “living on borrowed time”.
David Cameron’s announcement on Friday that he would be making Holyrood permanent, with a new requirement that it could be abolished only after a referendum in Scotland, was “one step in a long road which has to be travelled”, Sturgeon said. Related: 'Folk have become bolder': optimism for independent Scotland undented a year on
“It would be wrong to propose another referendum without a fundamental change of circumstances or a strong indication that a significant number of those who voted no last year had changed their minds,” Sturgeon told an audience in Edinburgh.
“But it would also be wrong – in the face of a clear and material shift in circumstances or in public opinion – for any one politician or party to rule out another referendum indefinitely.”
In a radio interview earlier on Friday, the first minister said “a whole host” of issues needed to be addressed in the Scotland bill now going through Westminster before it would meet “the vow” made by UK leaders just before last year’s referendum.
The prime minister’s announcement on Friday that he would be making Holyrood permanent, with a new requirement that it could be abolished only after a referendum in Scotland, was “one step in a long road which has to be travelled”, Sturgeon said.
Related: Sturgeon: scrap cuts and Trident or face another vote on independenceRelated: Sturgeon: scrap cuts and Trident or face another vote on independence
“Of course I welcome anything which strengthens the Scotland bill but what David Cameron has indicated today is actually an admission that the Scotland bill doesn’t live up to the proposals in the Smith commission and doesn’t implement the vow that was made in the closing days of the referendum campaign,” she told BBC Radio Scotland before a speech to mark the anniversary of last year’s vote. “Of course I welcome anything which strengthens the Scotland bill but what David Cameron has indicated today is actually an admission that the Scotland bill doesn’t live up to the proposals in the Smith commission and doesn’t implement the vow that was made in the closing days of the referendum campaign,” she told BBC Radio Scotland.
A YouGov opinion poll this week suggested that only 9% of Scottish voters believed the Scotland bill lived up to the vow – the declaration signed by Cameron, then Labour leader Ed Miliband and then Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg pledging substantial devolution of new powers to Holyrood. A YouGov opinion poll this week suggested that only 9% of Scottish voters believed the Scotland bill lived up to the vow – the declaration signed by Cameron, the then Labour leader Ed Miliband and then Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg pledging substantial devolution of new powers to Holyrood.
Even Gordon Brown had criticised the Scotland bill, saying it did not live up to the UK parties’ pledge, she added. “I think they have to go a lot further before they can get anywhere near to the position of saying that they’re delivering on the promises that they made,” she added. Sturgeon pointed out that even Miliband’s predecessor, Gordon Brown, had criticised the Scotland bill, saying it did not live up to the UK parties’ pledge. “I think they have to go a lot further before they can get anywhere near to the position of saying that they’re delivering on the promises that they made,” she said.
As @AlexSalmond watches from door, @NicolaSturgeon tells @theSNP parliamentarians party membership now at 112,208 pic.twitter.com/4JQkGrb4iOAs @AlexSalmond watches from door, @NicolaSturgeon tells @theSNP parliamentarians party membership now at 112,208 pic.twitter.com/4JQkGrb4iO
The bill was “riddled with vetoes” on welfare, so Westminster could block measures at Holyrood; it failed to allow Holyrood to introduce new welfare benefits – despite the recommendation by the Smith commission that MSPs could set up new benefits; and issues remained on Holyrood’s powers over land and assets owned by the crown estate. The bill was “riddled with vetoes” on welfare, so Westminster could block measures at Holyrood; it failed to allow Holyrood to introduce new welfare benefits – despite the recommendation by the Smith commission that MSPs could do so; and issues remained on Holyrood’s powers over land and assets owned by the crown.
Sturgeon insisted she did not feel under any pressure to publish a firm policy on a second referendum because the SNP was at 50% in the polls, but she would set out the conditions for one in next May’s Scottish parliament election.Sturgeon insisted she did not feel under any pressure to publish a firm policy on a second referendum because the SNP was at 50% in the polls, but she would set out the conditions for one in next May’s Scottish parliament election.
“I respect and we respect the result of last year’s referendum; I didn’t enjoy the result it won’t surprise you to hear but I respect the result. I think it would be wrong to propose a second referendum without a fundamental change of circumstance or a strong indication that a significant number of people who voted no last year had changed their minds,” Sturgeon said. Triggers could be deeper UK spending cuts; renewing Trident against popular wishes; or taking Scotland out of the European Union against its wishes if the rest of the UK voted to leave at the EU referendum.
“But the converse of that is that if there was a clear and material change of circumstances, or if there was a big shift in public opinion I don’t think it’s wrong for any party or politician to rule out a referendum indefinitely.” Speaking earlier on Friday on Good Morning Scotland, David Mundell, the Scotland secretary, refused to state clearly whether the UK government would veto a formal request for a second referendum as Cameron has previously stated.
Triggers could be deeper UK spending cuts; renewing Trident against popular wishes; or taking Scotland out of the EU against its wishes if the rest of the UK voted to leave at the EU referendum.
Speaking earlier on Friday on Good Morning Scotland, David Mundell, the Scotland secretary, refused to state clearly whether the UK government would veto a formal request for a second referendum as David Cameron has previously stated.
“I don’t want to get into these minutiae arguments about other referendums, I want Scotland to move on, I want the debate to be about tax, welfare, how we use the powers we’ve got in the Scottish parliament for the best interests of the people of Scotland,” Mundell said.“I don’t want to get into these minutiae arguments about other referendums, I want Scotland to move on, I want the debate to be about tax, welfare, how we use the powers we’ve got in the Scottish parliament for the best interests of the people of Scotland,” Mundell said.
The cabinet minister accused Sturgeon and other critics of the bill of misrepresenting the parliamentary process. It was normal for ministers to look carefully at amendment proposals and then change the bill at a later stage. He would now do that in October, with a series of amendments to reflect the criticisms which had been made. The cabinet minister accused Sturgeon and other critics of the Scotland bill of misrepresenting the parliamentary process. It was normal for ministers to look carefully at amendment proposals and then change the bill at a later stage. He would now do that in October, with a series of amendments to reflect the criticisms which had been made.
Alistair Darling, the Labour former chancellor who led the campaign for Scotland to remain in the UK, said the vote was decisive and that there was no appetite from the Scottish public for another referendum any time soon. Alistair Darling, the former Labour chancellor who led the campaign for Scotland to remain in the UK, said the vote was decisive and there was no appetite from the Scottish public for another referendum any time soon.
“Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister is in no hurry either because she will not call a referendum until she thinks she can win it,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday morning. However, he said there were many risks ahead because the SNP are in a very strong position, aided by the UK government’s poor handling of devolution legislation. “Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, is in no hurry either because she will not call a referendum until she thinks she can win it,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Friday. However, he said there were many risks ahead because the SNP were in a strong position, aided by the UK government’s poor handling of devolution legislation.