Scottish independence: Labour No vote plan queried

NICOLA Sturgeon has called on Labour clarify its plans to hand more powers to the Scottish Parliament after a No vote in the referendum.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: Neil Hanna

The Deputy First Minister has accused Labour of making “seriously misleading” claims that it would allow Scotland to raise 40% of its revenues. Scottish Parliament officials have indicated this would be 35%.

The Labour proposals, published earlier this month, would give Holyrood new powers over income tax.

But Ms Sturgeon has now written to Labour leader Johann Lamont calling for clarity on the Labour proposals.

Ms Sturgeon’s letter adds: “You will be aware that they have been described as a “watered-down compromise” and “striking” for their modesty, with the suggestion that this compromise is the result of the need to secure agreement from those in your party hostile to the Scottish Parliament receiving any more powers.”

But the letter was dismissed by Labour who said the “one certainty” about the proposals was that they would “not be enough for nationalists like Nicola Sturgeon.”

A spokesman added: “Our devolution report was shaped by senior economists, academics and former civil servants.

“If Nicola Sturgeon is unable to grasp these basic proposals, how can we have any faith in her ability to create a whole new tax system in the event of a yes vote?”