Alistair Darling to unveil Devolution timetable
Mr Darling, who was on the campaign trail in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge district, insisted that the three non-nationalist parties were “in agreement” over extending tax, spending and welfare powers for Scotland if it remained in the union, but said the details would be thrashed out after the referendum.
His comments come a day after chancellor George Osborne revealed there would be a “plan of action” for further powers for the Scottish Parliament, attracting criticism from First Minister Alex Salmond, who claimed that new proposals at this stage would lack credibility.
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Hide AdMr Darling also reiterated his confidence that the No campaign would secure a victory in next Thursday’s vote - saying he had predicted “all along” that the poll would be “up to the wire”.
“The three non-nationalist parties have already put forward a range of powers,” he said. “All three are agreed that there needs to be further powers given to the Scottish Parliament. What we are talking about is the timetable for implementing that. There are decisions on detail which have to take place, but the big question we have got to answer before that is are we staying in the United Kingdom or leaving?”
He rejected criticism that some postal voters will have cast their ballot papers before the Better Together announcement was made.
“Obviously people have been voting for the past ten days, but the actual powers on offer have been revealed before any votes were cast, so I don’t think that’s an issue,” he said.
He also offered his congratulations to William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Strathearn, on the news that they were expecting their second child, but refused to be drawn on the effect the announcement would have on the pro-union campaign.
“I think this happy news is above politics,” he said.
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