Miliband says ‘devo max’ is wrong option for Scotland
David Miliband says Labour can recover
LABOUR’S David Miliband has voiced scepticism over plans for a “devo max” option in the independence referendum, despite growing support within the party for the move.
In an exclusive interview with the Evening News, the former foreign secretary said there should be an open debate about how to take devolution forward, but he said: “I’ve never known a referendum that included a box that said ‘maybe’, but that seems to be what the SNP wants.”
Last week, Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP Malcolm Chisholm called for Labour to embrace devo max – where Scotland has responsibility for all taxes and pays an agreed amount to Westminster for shared services – rather than sticking to the more limited extra powers included in the Scotland Bill.
Former first minister Henry McLeish also backed devo max.
A senior Labour insider said: “They are just saying what many others are thinking.”
Mr Miliband said devolution was Labour’s creation and the party should be confident of it.
He acknowledged the party had work to do, but he said: “Labour has been the author of all the economic, social and political reform Scotland has seen, including devolution.
“What we should be seeking is the best of both worlds – power in the hands of the people and the strength that comes from being part of a wider union.
“We in the Labour Party should be confident in debating devolution and discussing how to take it forward. And I look forward to that being done as part of a process which engages with Scotland.”
Asked about the party’s prospects in Scotland following the heavy defeat in May’s Holyrood elections, he said: “Things can only get better. We took a hell of a beating and what’s good is that people have not taken that as an instruction to retire or walk off the pitch. They have really tried to understand what the electorate were saying.
“We should be confident that the Labour Party can still be the agent of change for the Scottish people.
“But it’s got to be a modern, relevant, forward-looking, open political party.
“If we become a sectional interest we will represent the Scotland that was, not the Scotland that can be.”
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Comments
There are 45 comments to this article
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Broon Bairn
Monday, October 31, 2011 at 11:25 AMYes, of course, everyone in Scotland was taken in by that serial liar, Alex Salmond, and his dastardly crew of spell-weaving magicians, aided and abetted by a troupe of Klingons, Kardassians and Ferengi. Aye, right...
Rabigyin
Monday, October 31, 2011 at 07:21 AMComment removed by moderator
E&I
Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 02:48 PMThis guy couldn't even beat his younger brother who sounds even dafter than he does so who cares what he thinks? He's a professional politician ie a complete idiot living in a fantasy world. If I ever get a chance to stick my X on that piece of paper it will be in one of the boxes that the adults amongst us will be marking "Yes" to independence or "No" to independence. I for one will be voting "Yes".
Tom R
Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 01:07 AM# 29 Ewe Tyre "I believe Ian Gray would have been first minister if the SNP had not lied in May. I believe people see that now." You always were a complete fool :-) Perhaps "Scottish" Labour will keep him on-the candidates to replace him will not be much-if any-improvement :-)
Colin RB
Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 12:12 AMhe knowns nothing and is a cover up merchant -signed a public interest immunity certificate re disclosures about his friends the Gaddafis and Megrahis in Libya Mind you Salmond is a known liar and serial human rights abuser as is MacCaskill these are facts Mr biased editor
brianwci
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11:19 PMNot the most inspiring of speeches to end with was it? Not heavy with new policy ideas. Not exactly overladen with good solid advice for the new leaders anyone of whom would have looked totally out of place if sitting with John Smith, Robin Cook or even the so called father of devolution Donald Dewar. Father of Devolution? Dewar hated the the SNP and made hundreds of speeches against Independence and devolution as did most Labour heavyweights except John McIntosh. As for Labour 'GIVING' Scotland devolution, the only reason they even touched upon the subject was an attempt to 'KILL OFF THE SNP'. Which is why Labour is getting nowhere in Scotland, it has no genuinely pro Scottish policies, only ANTI SNP policies. I've got a feeling this referendum could come a lot quicker than any of us are anticipating. The opposition are nowhere as will be made evident in May's local elections.
deliverus
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 10:53 PM29Ewe tyre righting---- 30Red Etiin-----------How many people would have welcomed twins like these two?
Libra Personified
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 10:01 PMThey just don't want us getting our hands on the true figures.
It's All Clear If You Look At It Right
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 09:53 PMI am First Minister. If I were not, the fact would have been brought to my attention, WHICH IT HAS NOT.
Electric Hermit
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 07:58 PM30 Red Etin "I believe Ian Gray would have been first minister if the SNP had not led in May." - Well! We dodged a bullet there, didn't we?
Anagach
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 07:50 PM30 Red Etin I believe Ian Gray would have been first minister if the SNP had not led in May. I believe people see that now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did you see that ! did you see that !, if we hadnae lost we would have wan!.
jock in the box
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 06:41 PM29 If you really believe that Iain Gray could have won and was therefore electable WHY ARE YOU REPLACING HIM ? Is that how the Labour Party operate? If you are incompetent we make you leader, but if you show any ability we remove you again? Now wonder you dont get elected!
jock in the box
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 06:29 PM29 Lied about what? You probably believe that Ian Grays performance was adequate ! He had a fifteen point lead and recorded the biggest disaster in a few weeks of campaigning. He was booted out because he was incapable, and if you think Labour are making a comeback you had better watch the opinion polls. All I can see is Moribund showing why hes next to be replaced .
jock in the box
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 06:24 PM31 For cross party arrangements read cross border arrangements*
jock in the box
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 06:22 PM19 Precisely. All terms whether they be devo max ,independence lite, full fiscal autonomy or whatever else they dream up ,are blank cheques, and depending upon the result ,THEN we will find out what LONDON feels it has to concede. The only sensible option is back independence, and then negotiate our position with everybody from a position of strength and that means a sovereign parliament which has equal status . We can enter into whatever cross party arrangements we in Scotland wish to, not what LONDON says is good for us. The choice we really face is between what does Edinburgh want and what does London feel they have to concede.It will certainly not be Scotland's welfare which the three London parties are concerned about!You have to be two planks short of a pair to think that ! Vote Independence . Anything else is a blank cheque and could be ridiculous nonsense only, and no control over the purse strings of Scotland. Forget devolution anything. Vote for SCOTLAND and only Scotland ,or you vote against her.
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