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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'Concern' over referendum shift | 'Concern' over referendum shift |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Conservative and Lib Dem leaders in Scotland have spoken of their serious concern over Wendy Alexander's policy shift on a referendum on independence. | Conservative and Lib Dem leaders in Scotland have spoken of their serious concern over Wendy Alexander's policy shift on a referendum on independence. |
| They said the Scottish Labour leader's new-found support for a referendum was undermining the Calman Commission. | They said the Scottish Labour leader's new-found support for a referendum was undermining the Calman Commission. |
| It was set up by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories to review the powers of the Scottish Parliament. | It was set up by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories to review the powers of the Scottish Parliament. |
| Annabel Goldie said she was "totally behind" its work while Nicol Stephen said it was "more important than ever". | Annabel Goldie said she was "totally behind" its work while Nicol Stephen said it was "more important than ever". |
| Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Mr Stephen argued that the Calman commission should be supported to examine the parliament's powers. | Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Mr Stephen argued that the Calman commission should be supported to examine the parliament's powers. |
| The Liberal Democrat leader added: "Unless the work is done to develop that through the commission then you end up with a very polarised debate between Gordon Brown and Wendy Alexander on the one hand and Alex Salmond on the other. | The Liberal Democrat leader added: "Unless the work is done to develop that through the commission then you end up with a very polarised debate between Gordon Brown and Wendy Alexander on the one hand and Alex Salmond on the other. |
| "Given the popularity of Gordon Brown and Labour party at the moment I worry about that." | "Given the popularity of Gordon Brown and Labour party at the moment I worry about that." |
| 'Extraordinary' | 'Extraordinary' |
| Miss Goldie, the leader of the Scottish Tories, said she had "confidence" in the Scottish people wanting to continue with "improved devolution." | Miss Goldie, the leader of the Scottish Tories, said she had "confidence" in the Scottish people wanting to continue with "improved devolution." |
| She added: "It really is extraordinary that Wendy Alexander has jumped the gun in a sense by, I think, undermining the status of the commission. | She added: "It really is extraordinary that Wendy Alexander has jumped the gun in a sense by, I think, undermining the status of the commission. |
| "The outcome of that commission is very, very important to the informed debate that many people in Scotland want us to have." | "The outcome of that commission is very, very important to the informed debate that many people in Scotland want us to have." |
| Mr Stephen also spoke of this week's events being "absolutely extraordinary". | Mr Stephen also spoke of this week's events being "absolutely extraordinary". |
| They were speaking after Ms Alexander called for an early referendum on independence, challenging the SNP to "bring it on." | They were speaking after Ms Alexander called for an early referendum on independence, challenging the SNP to "bring it on." |
| The 15-member commission, chaired by Sir Kenneth Calman, only met for the first time at the end of April. | The 15-member commission, chaired by Sir Kenneth Calman, only met for the first time at the end of April. |
| It is not expected to report until later in the year. | |
| John Loughton, a member of the Commission, said he had been surprised at Ms Alexander's change of stance. | |
| "What I want to hear from the opposition party, what is the fundamental duty of a opposition party, is to propose a clear, consistent and key message in providing solutions or alternatives to proposals from government," he told BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland. | "What I want to hear from the opposition party, what is the fundamental duty of a opposition party, is to propose a clear, consistent and key message in providing solutions or alternatives to proposals from government," he told BBC Scotland's Good Morning Scotland. |
| "Sadly I think that's not happened through various changes in stance from the Labour party just now." | "Sadly I think that's not happened through various changes in stance from the Labour party just now." |