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Gordon Brown calls for shared 'social justice' vision | Gordon Brown calls for shared 'social justice' vision |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Scottish and UK parliaments could both be strengthened by a legally-binding shared vision of social justice, according to Gordon Brown. | Scottish and UK parliaments could both be strengthened by a legally-binding shared vision of social justice, according to Gordon Brown. |
During a speech in his constituency, the former Labour prime minister said Scotland should stay within the UK but that Holyrood should have more powers. | During a speech in his constituency, the former Labour prime minister said Scotland should stay within the UK but that Holyrood should have more powers. |
The MP said this included full transfer of powers in transport, health, the Crown Estates Commission and elections. | The MP said this included full transfer of powers in transport, health, the Crown Estates Commission and elections. |
Labour's devolution commission was set up to consider possible further powers. | Labour's devolution commission was set up to consider possible further powers. |
It will report in time for the independence referendum on 18 September when voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" | It will report in time for the independence referendum on 18 September when voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" |
Mr Brown used his speech to set out his own vision for remaining within the union. | Mr Brown used his speech to set out his own vision for remaining within the union. |
The Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP said there should be UK legislation to state the shared purpose of the union, "namely the pooling and sharing of resources for social justice". | The Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP said there should be UK legislation to state the shared purpose of the union, "namely the pooling and sharing of resources for social justice". |
He said: "I am of the view that the party that first created a powerful Scottish Parliament is best-placed to strengthen devolution and to create a stronger Scottish Parliament in a stronger UK. | He said: "I am of the view that the party that first created a powerful Scottish Parliament is best-placed to strengthen devolution and to create a stronger Scottish Parliament in a stronger UK. |
"We can show how with our reforms, to be implemented by Labour administrations in Westminster and in Edinburgh, we can address some of the greatest social and economic challenges a future Scotland faces." | "We can show how with our reforms, to be implemented by Labour administrations in Westminster and in Edinburgh, we can address some of the greatest social and economic challenges a future Scotland faces." |
Calculated costs | Calculated costs |
Mr Brown also attacked the SNP over funding for their plans for an independent Scotland. | Mr Brown also attacked the SNP over funding for their plans for an independent Scotland. |
He said: "First, they calculate oil and gas revenues as at least £6.8bn in 2016-2017 when all formal and independent forecasts suggest the correct figure is likely to be around £3.5bn, leaving a £3.3bn shortfall. To make this up requires a rise in income tax of 10p. | He said: "First, they calculate oil and gas revenues as at least £6.8bn in 2016-2017 when all formal and independent forecasts suggest the correct figure is likely to be around £3.5bn, leaving a £3.3bn shortfall. To make this up requires a rise in income tax of 10p. |
"Second, they have failed to calculate the cost of European Union membership without the British rebate, which Scotland would not benefit from. | "Second, they have failed to calculate the cost of European Union membership without the British rebate, which Scotland would not benefit from. |
"In consequence, Scotland's net membership costs could be as high as £500m that the SNP have not budgeted for. Scotland may even have to contribute to the remaining UK rebate like all other member states. | "In consequence, Scotland's net membership costs could be as high as £500m that the SNP have not budgeted for. Scotland may even have to contribute to the remaining UK rebate like all other member states. |
"Third, while the SNP have a working party on the 'affordability' of pensions, Scotland receives proportionately more spending on pensioners than the rest of the UK and more in incapacity benefit." | "Third, while the SNP have a working party on the 'affordability' of pensions, Scotland receives proportionately more spending on pensioners than the rest of the UK and more in incapacity benefit." |
He added: "It is right to set out a Labour vision of the future: the alternative to separation that shows how enhanced devolution within the union offers the Scottish people a fairer deal and a better dividend." | He added: "It is right to set out a Labour vision of the future: the alternative to separation that shows how enhanced devolution within the union offers the Scottish people a fairer deal and a better dividend." |
SNP treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie said Mr Brown was "unwittingly making the case for a Yes vote". | SNP treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie said Mr Brown was "unwittingly making the case for a Yes vote". |
He questioned why he did not deliver any of these powers during the decade he spent as chancellor and then prime minister. | He questioned why he did not deliver any of these powers during the decade he spent as chancellor and then prime minister. |
He said: "Gordon Brown's speech sounds as if he has no idea what is going on in the real world - the reality is that the welfare state is being dismantled by Westminster. | He said: "Gordon Brown's speech sounds as if he has no idea what is going on in the real world - the reality is that the welfare state is being dismantled by Westminster. |
"George Osborne has announced £12bn more welfare cuts, hitting the the most vulnerable people the hardest, and Labour are engaged in a Dutch auction with the Tories about who will cut the most. | "George Osborne has announced £12bn more welfare cuts, hitting the the most vulnerable people the hardest, and Labour are engaged in a Dutch auction with the Tories about who will cut the most. |
"Scotland's finances are stronger than the UK's as a whole - we generate 9.9% of UK tax revenues but get just 9.3% of the spending, and therefore a smaller share of our national wealth is spent on welfare, which means that pensions and benefits are more affordable for Scotland. | "Scotland's finances are stronger than the UK's as a whole - we generate 9.9% of UK tax revenues but get just 9.3% of the spending, and therefore a smaller share of our national wealth is spent on welfare, which means that pensions and benefits are more affordable for Scotland. |
"A majority of people in Scotland believe that decisions on tax and welfare should be taken in the Scottish Parliament, not Westminster - and the only way to achieve that is to vote Yes for an independent Scotland in September." | "A majority of people in Scotland believe that decisions on tax and welfare should be taken in the Scottish Parliament, not Westminster - and the only way to achieve that is to vote Yes for an independent Scotland in September." |
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said Mr Brown's vision added to "growing momentum across Scotland's political parties for a stronger Scotland placed firmly within the UK family". | |
He said: "Devolution offers the best of both worlds for Scotland, allowing us to shape our domestic agenda whilst sharing the risks and rewards of the UK family." |
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