Labour promises to deliver Calman reform in 10 months

Published on Monday 15 June 2009 22:47

SCOTLAND'S place within the UK could be transformed in as little as ten months following radical constitutional changes proposed in a landmark report.

Senior Labour figures told The Scotsman that they hoped to push through many of the Calman Commission's far-reaching proposals before a general election, as part of revolutionary changes to the devolution settlement.

Privately, they believe that delivering additional powers to Holyrood and changes to how Scotland is funded will ensure the party is in a healthier position to take on the SNP in a general election.

High on the agenda are hopes to transform Scotland's finances, including giving Holyrood the power to cut income tax, direct control over 9 billion in domestic taxes, new borrowing powers and the ability to create new Scotland-specific taxes.

Labour believes that a series of new powers recommended by the commission – including handing control of drink-driving alcohol levels, speed limits, elections, airguns and nature conservation to Holyrood – can be delivered quickly.

The Calman Commission report, unveiled yesterday, was welcomed by all the Unionist parties – Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats – with all agreeing broadly to what was being proposed.

The SNP is also delighted with the acceptance of the recommendations the party believes take Scotland closer to independence, although the Nationalists were highly critical of the recommendation not to devolve oil and gas revenues.

A source close to First Minister Alex Salmond said: "In reality this report puts Scotland on the road to independence – not to strengthening its place in the Union."

The SNP is particularly pleased that Unionist parties have finally accepted that there could be different laws on issues such as speed limits, airguns and drink-drive limits on different sides of the Border and said that in the future this could apply to more areas.

Both Labour and the Conservatives made it clear that whichever party is in government would implement the major changes proposed in the Calman recommendations.

The two parties and the Liberal Democrats will now form a steering group to push the changes through.

The top-level group will involve the three party leaders in Holyrood along with Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy, his Conservative shadow David Mundell and Alistair Carmichael, Scotland Office spokesman for the Liberal Democrats. There is an open invitation for the SNP to join the group, which is unlikely to be accepted.

At a press conference after Sir Kenneth Calman and his fellow commissioners had released their report, Mr Murphy made it clear he wanted rapid progress on the recommendations.

He emphasised that it was "how" not "whether" the financial recommendations would be enacted.

He confirmed that, despite initial opposition, the Home Office was looking at how to devolve legislation on airguns to allow them to be banned in Scotland, and he acknowledged that he saw strong arguments for devolving powers on speed limits and drink-drive limits.

He also made it clear that the proposals had the strong backing of Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling. He suggested that the only delay to the process may be down to the complexity of implementing some of the changes, including amending the Scotland Act.

It was a far cry from the comments made by Mr Murphy's predecessor, Des Browne, who said when he was Scottish secretary that he saw no need for any changes.

He was at the unveiling of the report yesterday, but declined to comment.

Other figures in the Labour Party said it was time to push forward.

Labour MP Mark Lazarowicz said: "There is no reason why we can't get this through before the election. We have got cross-party support for it."

Mr Lazarowicz admitted there might be some difficulties with the complexities of the financial changes, but he said he was fully in favour of it, adding: "There is a substantial body of support for it on the Labour benches."

Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie is today meeting UK leader David Cameron and Mr Mundell to discuss the implications of the report. A Conservative insider said: "While we are not going to sign up to every spit and comma in the report now, I think it is clear that we would only want to make minor adjustments."

The Conservatives are thought to see the process as a chance to show they are now a "Scotland-friendly party."

The Liberal Democrats believe that the commission's recommendations are a vindication of changes they proposed for greater autonomy in their own Steel Commission, headed by former party leader Lord David Steel. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott made it clear he wanted the proposals introduced as quickly as possible.

"The Calman Commission's report is a remarkable achievement. Its recommendations take us towards a real home-rule parliament," he said.