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Lord Purvis launches Constitutional Convention Bill | Lord Purvis launches Constitutional Convention Bill |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Scottish Liberal Democrat peer Jeremy Purvis has set out plans for a new constitutional convention for the UK. | |
Lord Purvis said he wanted an end to the current "make do and mend" approach to constitutional reform that could "threaten the UK". | Lord Purvis said he wanted an end to the current "make do and mend" approach to constitutional reform that could "threaten the UK". |
His proposal contains plans for further devolution to each of the home nations and local authorities. | His proposal contains plans for further devolution to each of the home nations and local authorities. |
It also suggests ways of reforming the Westminster voting system and the House of Lords. | It also suggests ways of reforming the Westminster voting system and the House of Lords. |
The peer presented his Constitutional Convention Bill in the House of Lords on Monday. He said it aimed to deliver a "sustainable, balanced devolution settlement that works for the whole UK." | |
His proposals would see a year-long convention comprised of politicians from all political parties and representatives from wider civic society. | His proposals would see a year-long convention comprised of politicians from all political parties and representatives from wider civic society. |
More powers | More powers |
Scotland is due to receive new powers over tax next year when the Scotland Bill comes into effect. | Scotland is due to receive new powers over tax next year when the Scotland Bill comes into effect. |
However, following its landslide victory in the general election, the SNP has been pressing the UK government for further powers over employment and welfare policy. | However, following its landslide victory in the general election, the SNP has been pressing the UK government for further powers over employment and welfare policy. |
The SNP's general election manifesto said it was in favour of so-called full fiscal autonomy - power over all tax and spending - but that this would take time to deliver. | The SNP's general election manifesto said it was in favour of so-called full fiscal autonomy - power over all tax and spending - but that this would take time to deliver. |
Meanwhile, Tory MP Ian Stewart told the BBC on Sunday that his party was open to constitutional reform for the rest of the UK. | Meanwhile, Tory MP Ian Stewart told the BBC on Sunday that his party was open to constitutional reform for the rest of the UK. |
Plans to give MPs from English constituencies an effective veto on laws affecting only England were included in last week's Queen's Speech. | Plans to give MPs from English constituencies an effective veto on laws affecting only England were included in last week's Queen's Speech. |
Lord Purvis welcomed the new powers package for Scotland but said "piecemeal devolution" could not deliver stability. | Lord Purvis welcomed the new powers package for Scotland but said "piecemeal devolution" could not deliver stability. |
'Secure the future' | 'Secure the future' |
He added: "Pitting one part of the UK against another is no way to secure the future of our country. | He added: "Pitting one part of the UK against another is no way to secure the future of our country. |
"We need to abolish the make do and mend approach to reform that has let the SNP move the devolution goalposts time and again in a way that might work for them, but not for Scotland or the rest of the UK. | "We need to abolish the make do and mend approach to reform that has let the SNP move the devolution goalposts time and again in a way that might work for them, but not for Scotland or the rest of the UK. |
"A constitutional convention will help us reach a settlement that protects the future of the UK and delivers communities the powers they need to thrive." | "A constitutional convention will help us reach a settlement that protects the future of the UK and delivers communities the powers they need to thrive." |
Lord Purvis also said it was time to "grasp the nettle" and tackle reform of the electoral system and the House of Lords. | Lord Purvis also said it was time to "grasp the nettle" and tackle reform of the electoral system and the House of Lords. |
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