Scottish independence: Devo max ‘not UK policy’

MPs used the final Prime Minister’s questions before the referendum to beg Scots to reject independence.

William Hague states that further devolution is not government policy. Picture: Robert Perry

But the session dominated by the Scottish question also saw a backlash among English MPs over a pledge by the three UK party leaders to devolve more powers to Scotland.

Leader of the House William Hague took questions as Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband all headed north of the Border to campaign in the referendum.

He was asked by Tory MP and former Welsh Secretary John Redwood “who will speak for England?” in the negotiations for more powers.

Another Tory backbencher Christopher Chope demanded to know: “When did the government change its mind on devomax and when are MPs going to have a chance to express a view?”

However, the majority of questions from MPs from England, Wales and Northern Ireland were in support of Scotland remaining in the UK.

Mr Hague told MPs: “I hope the message the people of Scotland will hear from this House, where Scottish parliamentarians have made an immense contribution for generations, is that we want to stay together and we cannot imagine life on these isles without them.

“We are all proud to be British, combining these identities and there is no doubt we would all be diminished if Scotland was separated from the people of the rest of the UK.”

SNP MPs were seen to heckle Mr Hague as he responded to questions from the Labour deputy leader.

Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman said the “roots of our party are deep in Scotland” and she urged Mr Hague to outline support for further devolution.

The Labour deputy leader said Scots could now be certain of change, even with a No vote.

She said: “Against that certainty is the uncertainty that a Yes vote would bring on so many issues like jobs, pensions, mortgages and the currency.”

In a light hearted moment Tory MP Richard Fuller told the House that his Aberdeen born mother and Cambridge born father were about to celebrate their 60th anniversary.

He said: “They show that they like this United Kingdom are better together.”

SNP Perth MP Pete Wishart asked Mr Hague to congratulate Scotland on the way the campaign had been conducted.

But Paisley & Renfrewshire North MP Jim Sheridan said the campaign had “fraught with fear and intimidation” from the Yes camp.

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