This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-26510735

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Scottish independence: Gordon Brown to outline 'power-sharing' UK Scottish independence: Gordon Brown to outline 'power-sharing' UK
(about 5 hours later)
Labour ex-PM Gordon Brown is to outline his ideas for a new division of powers between Edinburgh and Westminster. Former PM Gordon Brown is to outline his ideas for a new division of powers between Holyrood and Westminster.
Mr Brown, speaking in Glasgow, will argue for reform of the UK to deliver a power-sharing partnership of nations. In his speech, the Labour MP will argue for reform of the UK to deliver a power-sharing partnership of nations.
Speaking separately, senior Lib Dem MP Sir Menzies Campbell will call for co-operation for enhanced devolution.Speaking separately, senior Lib Dem MP Sir Menzies Campbell will call for co-operation for enhanced devolution.
Both say Scots want more devolution not independence - but the SNP says only a yes vote in the 18 September referendum will mean more power for Holyrood. Both say Scots want more devolution, but the Scottish government said only a "Yes" vote in the referendum would give Scotland the powers it needed.
Voters will be asked the yes/no question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" On 18 September, voters will be asked the Yes/No question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
'Strong Britain'
Speaking in the east end of Glasgow later, Mr Brown will propose six "major" constitutional changes to revamp the UK's relationship with Scotland.Speaking in the east end of Glasgow later, Mr Brown will propose six "major" constitutional changes to revamp the UK's relationship with Scotland.
The Fife MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is expected to say: "I want to move us from the old highly-centralised, uniform Britain dominated by out-of-date ideas of an undivided Westminster sovereignty to a new diverse power-sharing, risk-sharing, resource-sharing UK which is best defined not as an old union but as a modern, constitutional partnership of nations." The MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath is expected to say: "I want to move us from the old highly-centralised, uniform Britain dominated by out-of-date ideas of an undivided Westminster sovereignty to a new diverse power-sharing, risk-sharing, resource-sharing UK which is best defined not as an old union but as a modern, constitutional partnership of nations."
The six changes are:The six changes are:
The former prime minister and chancellor has previously called for legislation to make the Scottish Parliament a permanent and irreversible part of the how Britain is governed, and proposed a written constitution to highlight the importance of pooling resources across the UK. The former prime minister and chancellor had previously called for legislation to make the Scottish Parliament a permanent and irreversible part of the how Britain was governed, and proposed a written constitution to highlight the importance of pooling resources across the UK.
But he said he was entering the nationwide debate on Scotland's future from Monday "because a moment cannot now be lost in detailing the positive case for a strong Scottish parliament in a strong Britain". But he said he was entering the nationwide debate on Scotland's future from Monday "because a moment cannot now be lost in detailing the positive case for a strong Scottish Parliament in a strong Britain".
He said it was "a far bigger, more modern, more forward looking - and ultimately more appealing - idea than that of a wholly separate state".He said it was "a far bigger, more modern, more forward looking - and ultimately more appealing - idea than that of a wholly separate state".
"The majority of Scottish people do not want separation but equally they do want change, not the status quo. It is now six months from the referendum and time to enact that change," Mr Brown is expected to say:. Mr Brown is expected to say: "The majority of Scottish people do not want separation but equally they do want change, not the status quo. It is now six months from the referendum and time to enact that change.
"If people are asked to support the Union it is crucial that people know what the purpose is and it is no longer left unstated and unexplained."If people are asked to support the Union it is crucial that people know what the purpose is and it is no longer left unstated and unexplained.
"We need to draw up a statement of purpose, that we pool and share resources and risks for the benefit of all.""We need to draw up a statement of purpose, that we pool and share resources and risks for the benefit of all."
Mr Brown's plan is to be submitted to the Labour Party's devolution commission and the party's Scottish leader, Johann Lamont.Mr Brown's plan is to be submitted to the Labour Party's devolution commission and the party's Scottish leader, Johann Lamont.
A spokesman for the pro-independence Yes Scotland campaign said: "We agree with Gordon Brown that the purpose of constitutional change must be to empower people. We also agree with him that Labour and the other anti-independence parties need to spell out what further powers they will guarantee in the event of a No vote. Meanwhile, Sir Menzies, who has been tasked with finding a consensual cross-party alternative to independence is publishing the Campbell II report, which draws together the arguments of the other parties on devolution.
The former Liberal Democrat leader said there was now an emerging consensus among pro-union parties and non-party institutions for further devolution with the SNP.
But he said it took time to gain agreement on the right mix of powers for Scotland.
He told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Unlike the Yes campaign, the campaign against independence is not some totalitarian outfit.
"There are a variety of contributions from a variety of sources, but what is emerging is a consensus."
Sir Menzies chaired the Liberal Democrat Home Rule Commission, which in October 2012 backed a substantial transfer of financial and constitutional power to Holyrood.
The Scottish Conservatives are also examining the issue for increasing the powers of the Scottish Parliament.
A spokesman for the pro-independence Yes Scotland campaign said: "We agree with Gordon Brown that the purpose of constitutional change must be to empower people. We also agree with him that Labour and the other anti-independence parties need to spell out what further powers they will guarantee in the event of a 'No' vote.
"But we have heard such promises before and they came to nothing then and they'd come to nothing again. Labour and the Tories cannot even agree among themselves what further powers should be devolved to Scotland."But we have heard such promises before and they came to nothing then and they'd come to nothing again. Labour and the Tories cannot even agree among themselves what further powers should be devolved to Scotland.
"The only way to guarantee the powers people want and Scotland needs is to vote Yes on September 18.""The only way to guarantee the powers people want and Scotland needs is to vote Yes on September 18."
'Narrow view'
In a separate speech in Edinburgh, Sir Menzies will suggest how new tax-raising powers could be delivered to Scotland in the event of a no vote.In a separate speech in Edinburgh, Sir Menzies will suggest how new tax-raising powers could be delivered to Scotland in the event of a no vote.
Ahead of that address he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There are opportunities to set out reasonable, sensible, rational and indeed radical alternatives.
"Gordon Brown's approach, and indeed my approach and indeed the approach of the Lib Dems, is to look at the UK as a whole.
"I am endeavouring to point the way forward so that all of these contributions - for example from devo plus, from Reform Scotland - that all of these contributions make a very, very considerable - and in my view - effective alternative to the narrow minded view of independence."