No back room deals on devolution, urges McConnell

FORMER Labour First Minister Jack McConnell has said the new settlement promised to Scotland should not be decided by a “back room deal” between the parties over what more powers are transferred.
Former Labour First Minister Jack McConnell. Picture: Julie BullFormer Labour First Minister Jack McConnell. Picture: Julie Bull
Former Labour First Minister Jack McConnell. Picture: Julie Bull

Lord McConnell issued the warning to the Unionist parties ahead of the start of talks tomorrow, as part of the work of the Smith Commission, which was launched to deliver pledges on more devolution by the Prime Minister during the referendum campaign.

The former Labour leader went onto state that any agreement on new powers, which will be considered by the commission chaired by Lord Smith of Kelvin, should “stand the test of time”.

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He said: “If you are designing a new tax system for Scotland, the system has to work and be sustainable for at least a number of years, so I hope Robert Smith will note the proposals from the different parties, but then start a discussion on the basic principles that should determine what is delivered.

“If he can drive it on points of principle, the parties will need to treat the this issue seriously and not just be looking back for a back room deal.

“Deals reached behind closed doors are not going to reach a semi-permanent solution. This has to be seen as based on principle and stand the test of time.”

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