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Agreement on new powers for Scotland 'not easy', says Lord Smith | Agreement on new powers for Scotland 'not easy', says Lord Smith |
(35 minutes later) | |
The head of the new commission on delivering more powers to Scotland has warned it will "not be easy" to get agreement from political parties. | |
Lord Smith said those involved in the talks would require "courage" and "compromise" - but he was confident they would rise to the challenge. | Lord Smith said those involved in the talks would require "courage" and "compromise" - but he was confident they would rise to the challenge. |
The discussions on new powers for Holyrood are taking place after Scotland voted against independence. | The discussions on new powers for Holyrood are taking place after Scotland voted against independence. |
Draft legislation is due to be unveiled by the end of January. | Draft legislation is due to be unveiled by the end of January. |
In the wake of last Thursday's referendum "No" vote, the leaders of the main UK parties said they were committed to devolving new powers - expected to include tax, spending and welfare - from Westminster to Scotland. | In the wake of last Thursday's referendum "No" vote, the leaders of the main UK parties said they were committed to devolving new powers - expected to include tax, spending and welfare - from Westminster to Scotland. |
Scottish ministers have warned against any delay in the process. | Scottish ministers have warned against any delay in the process. |
Lord Smith, whose appointment was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in the wake of the referendum "No" vote, said: "We have a willingness, shared by all five of Scotland's main political parties, to strengthen the powers of the Scottish Parliament. | Lord Smith, whose appointment was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron in the wake of the referendum "No" vote, said: "We have a willingness, shared by all five of Scotland's main political parties, to strengthen the powers of the Scottish Parliament. |
"My message today to the political parties is a simple one - Scotland expects you to now come together, work together and agree the detail of what those powers should be." | "My message today to the political parties is a simple one - Scotland expects you to now come together, work together and agree the detail of what those powers should be." |
Speaking from the Scottish Parliament, Lord Smith added: "Time is tight but this is not an exercise in thinking about what we could do; that has been done. It is about agreeing on what we will do. | Speaking from the Scottish Parliament, Lord Smith added: "Time is tight but this is not an exercise in thinking about what we could do; that has been done. It is about agreeing on what we will do. |
"My job is to create a process through which agreement is reached, but I cannot force an agreement. | "My job is to create a process through which agreement is reached, but I cannot force an agreement. |
"It will not be easy; it will require positive intent, courage and compromise from all parties. But I have confidence that our political leaders will rise to the challenge and I look forward to working with them." | "It will not be easy; it will require positive intent, courage and compromise from all parties. But I have confidence that our political leaders will rise to the challenge and I look forward to working with them." |
Lord Smith added that Scottish civic organisations and the wider public would get a say on the issue of more powers for the Scottish Parliament. | Lord Smith added that Scottish civic organisations and the wider public would get a say on the issue of more powers for the Scottish Parliament. |
He also announced initial details of the remit for the commission. | He also announced initial details of the remit for the commission. |
The Smith Commission aims to get agreement between the SNP, Scottish Labour, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Greens on the way forward by 30 November. | The Smith Commission aims to get agreement between the SNP, Scottish Labour, the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Greens on the way forward by 30 November. |
A "command paper", setting out the issues, is also due to be published by 31 October, with draft legislation unveiled by 25 January. | A "command paper", setting out the issues, is also due to be published by 31 October, with draft legislation unveiled by 25 January. |
Lord Smith has asked each Scottish party to nominate two representatives to take part in the cross-party talks | Lord Smith has asked each Scottish party to nominate two representatives to take part in the cross-party talks |
The referendum saw Scotland voting to stay in the United Kingdom by 2,001,926 votes to 1,617,989 - about 55% to 45%. | The referendum saw Scotland voting to stay in the United Kingdom by 2,001,926 votes to 1,617,989 - about 55% to 45%. |
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