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Scottish independence: Rivals respond to Queen's speech | Scottish independence: Rivals respond to Queen's speech |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The Queen has re-affirmed the UK government's commitment to keeping Scotland in the Union, as she opened parliament at Westminster. | The Queen has re-affirmed the UK government's commitment to keeping Scotland in the Union, as she opened parliament at Westminster. |
Her Majesty said UK ministers would continue to "make the case for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom". | Her Majesty said UK ministers would continue to "make the case for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom". |
The Queen's speech outlined the coalition's final legislative plans ahead of the next UK election. | The Queen's speech outlined the coalition's final legislative plans ahead of the next UK election. |
It also came ahead of the 18 September independence referendum. | It also came ahead of the 18 September independence referendum. |
The Queen's speech came as rival politicians set out their visions for Scotland's future. | The Queen's speech came as rival politicians set out their visions for Scotland's future. |
The SNP's Westminster spokesman Angus Robertson pointed out that the Queen did not mention any new powers for the Scottish Parliament. | The SNP's Westminster spokesman Angus Robertson pointed out that the Queen did not mention any new powers for the Scottish Parliament. |
But Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said nine of the 11 bills contained in the speech would apply in Scotland. | But Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said nine of the 11 bills contained in the speech would apply in Scotland. |
During her speech at parliament, the Queen said: "My government will continue to implement new powers for the Scottish Parliament and make the case for Scotland to remain a part of the United Kingdom." | During her speech at parliament, the Queen said: "My government will continue to implement new powers for the Scottish Parliament and make the case for Scotland to remain a part of the United Kingdom." |
The Scottish government responded by saying it would continue to make the case for an independent Scotland, "with Her Majesty as head of state". | |
Mr Carmichael insisted the UK government was "building on strong foundations for a prosperous and exciting future in Scotland". | |
He added: "This legislation will help improve the lives of people across the country and lend a helping hand to working families and the businesses at the heart of our economy. | He added: "This legislation will help improve the lives of people across the country and lend a helping hand to working families and the businesses at the heart of our economy. |
"At the same time we will further support the North Sea industry and give Scotland's pensioners security and flexibility over their retirement funds. It is a comprehensive package for Scotland and I welcome the positive changes it will bring." | "At the same time we will further support the North Sea industry and give Scotland's pensioners security and flexibility over their retirement funds. It is a comprehensive package for Scotland and I welcome the positive changes it will bring." |
'Obsessed with referendum' | |
Labour's Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran said Scotland was being let down by both the UK and Scottish governments. | Labour's Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran said Scotland was being let down by both the UK and Scottish governments. |
Ms Curran said: "We have an SNP Scottish government that is so obsessed with the referendum that they aren't doing anything else, and a Tory-led UK government that has run out of ideas." | Ms Curran said: "We have an SNP Scottish government that is so obsessed with the referendum that they aren't doing anything else, and a Tory-led UK government that has run out of ideas." |
But Mr Robertson said: "The absence of any mention at all of the Westminster parties' plans for Scotland in the Queen's speech is extraordinary. | |
"Not even Air Passenger Duty was mentioned, even though this could be transferred to the Scottish Parliament now, as the Tories admitted this week. | |
"In this - the year of the biggest opportunity in Scotland's history - Scotland hardly even gets a nod at Westminster, and not a single mention of future plans for improving government in Scotland." | |
Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie called on the Scottish government to oppose proposals outlined in the Queen's speech which would allow fracking companies the right to run pipelines under private land. | Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie called on the Scottish government to oppose proposals outlined in the Queen's speech which would allow fracking companies the right to run pipelines under private land. |
Mr Harvie said: "The coalition government is turning a blind eye to the risks to our economy, not just our environment, of encouraging yet more fossil fuel extraction." | Mr Harvie said: "The coalition government is turning a blind eye to the risks to our economy, not just our environment, of encouraging yet more fossil fuel extraction." |