Alex Wilson: Full fiscal autonomy is the only way forward

For those of us who have had the benefit of living and working abroad, away from Scotland and the dead hand of the European Union, it is interesting to come to this Scotland Bill and clearly see it for what it is, rather like scanning the forest from the field as opposed to from inside the thicket.

What jumps right out to any objective analysis is the "crumbs from the table" mentality at work here. It seems that even our SNP friends are caught up and shackled by the drip-feed largesse from Westminster and the gratitude they frequently show for what is, often, very little.

The conference held at The Scotsman to discuss this subject was well attended. I was there as a representative of the Scottish Democratic Alliance

An illustrious selection of speakers threw this whole sorry matter into sharp focus. Who on earth would want this legislation? Ah yes, the unionist parties who created Calman. What is their objective? Is it to provide better government and management of our affairs and more accountability for our tax-and-spend agenda? Far from it.

The prospect of deep division and bitter arguments between Westminster and Holyrood are there for all to see. Better government? No. Greater division and rancour? Yes. Will this bill give us control over the essential economic levers that will make a real difference to the future of Scotland? No. Will we have control of corporation tax to help attract industry to our country? No.

Professor Andrew Hughes-Hallett demolished the Scotland Bill as divisive, chaotic and thoroughly unworkable. Why then are the unionist politicians pressing on regardless? The business community doesn't want it and, after all, they are the wealth-creators.

Full fiscal autonomy is the only way forward for Scotland. That is the settled view of the Scottish Democratic Alliance and how we will campaign.

No more tinkering with our future. Let's move on.

• Alex Wilson is a representative of the Scottish Democratic Alliance.