Tory backs ‘further devolution’

DEFEATED Scottish Conservative leadership candidate Murdo Fraser has backed more tax powers for the Scottish Parliament, as he issued a stark warning to his party and the unionist camp that they cannot “simply say ‘No’ to any further change”.

Mr Fraser, in a blog on the Tory Hoose website, said independence could only be defeated by devolving more powers to Holyrood, adding: “We cannot close our minds to further devolution.”

The Scotsman understands Mr Fraser backs the position of leading think-tank Reform Scotland, which supports Holyrood raising nearly all of the money spent in Scotland.