Alistair Darling echoes David Cameron's hint of more powers for Holyrood if independence is rejected
Former Chancellor Alistair Darling has suggested much greater financial powers could be handed to Holyrood if Scots reject independence.
Alistair Darling says it would be 'relatively easy' to give Holyrood control of income tax.
- By David Clegg, political editor
- Published in the Courier : 20.02.12
- Published online : 20.02.12 @ 01.45pm
In a development that suggests all Unionist parties now view more devolution as vital to winning the independence referendum, the Labour MP cited control over income tax as something it would be ''relatively easy'' to transfer to Edinburgh.
His comments follow Prime Minister David Cameron pledging strengthened powers are ''on the table'' if voters preserve the 300-year-old link with England.
''I don't think anybody would argue that the status quo is satisfactory,'' said Mr Darling, who also confirmed he will play a ''major role'' in the fight to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom. ''It was fine in 1998 (but) things have moved on. The constitution is always something you need to look and see what's best.''
But, like the Prime Minister, Mr Darling said details of the increased devolution settlement should wait until after the independence referendum the SNP Government plans to hold in autumn 2014.
He said: ''If Scots vote to leave the UK then there is no point in discussing how to improve devolution.''
Discussing what powers could be devolved, Mr Darling said: ''Income tax is easier because it is easy to identify and the Revenue knows who Scottish taxpayers are. It would be relatively easy to implement.''
Mr Darling, the Edinburgh South West MP, also argued for a referendum sooner than First Minister Alex Salmond's proposed 2014 timetable — a view shared by the UK Government.
He said: ''If you want to get on to further devolution more quickly then why don't we have the referendum more quickly. Why not next year?''
Mr Darling also claimed an independent Scotland keeping sterling would result in the country ''going cap in hand'' to the UK Treasury, due to the Bank of England being the lender of last resort.
The intervention is being seen as further evidence unionists believe increased powers for the Scottish Parliament could be enough to convince ''soft'' nationalists to vote against complete independence.
But SNP MSP Humza Yousaf said Mr Darling's comments had taken Labour into ''no man's land''.
He said: ''They are now in the same camp as David Cameron's Tories, in telling the people of Scotland they can only be allowed to consider more powers for the Scottish Parliament if they vote no to independence — but failing completely to spell out what those powers might be.''
Meanwhile, Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie, who supports home rule, said he would work with other parties to come up with plans for further devolution.
He said: ''I want to see a parliament that raises what it spends so Scotland can determine our own destiny on the domestic agenda. That would give us more autonomy whilst retaining the benefits of sharing risk and opportunity with the rest of the UK.
''We must not leave Scotland's future to be dictated by one political party who want us to opt out.''
A spokesman for Mr Salmond repeated calls for Mr Cameron to explain his plans for more devolution before his government's consultation on the referendum finishes on May 11.
Photo by Fiona Hanson/PA Archive
02.15pm - 20.02.2012 Max - Tayside, Scotland Report This
Could Alistair Darling be one of the Labour ministers who opposed the setting up of a Scottish Parliament under the Blair government in 1997/98? We know now that high profile Labour politicians were doing the damndest to block Scottish devolution back then. How embarrassing for Scottish Labour.
03.01pm - 20.02.2012 Max - Tayside, Scotland Report This
Alistair Darling was avidly anti-devolution right up until the start of 1999 Scottish referendum campaign. It seems quite remarkable for someone who at best is a luke-warm devolutionship and probably tried to block devolution in 1997 is himself hinting at new powers. Can he be trusted?
03.07pm - 20.02.2012 cameronsdemise - dollar, Scotland Report This
Camerons hint at more powers for hollyrood if Inde. is rejected are just that. ( Hints of ) this Uk gov . has lived and thrived too long off the backs of SCOTS.
03.16pm - 20.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
With both London Branches of the main Unionist Parties now "promising" more powers for a Scotland that rejects independence, why not have that as part of the referendum? They want one Q so just make the choice between Independence and Devolution Plus (or whatever they come up with to call it).
06.02pm - 20.02.2012 Sam - Dundee, Scotland, UK Report This
It's rather sad, yet enlightening, to see the SNP smoked out from their real wish, a third option. How can a party that says it favours separatism, yet desires something quite different (Devo Max) be trusted? One question, not loaded, YES or NO.
06.05pm - 20.02.2012 W. Robertson - Dundee, city of, Scotland, U.K. Report This
Max, where was the SNP when devolution was first mooted? What part did they play? It's rather hypocritical, wouldn't you agree, for anyone supporting the SNP to criticise other parties for their commitment to this.
11.34pm - 20.02.2012 Tommee - Glasgow, Scotland Report This
Cameron has done what Salmond has done: tried to sell us something they won't tell us about in full detail until after the event. Not good enough. Let's still stick with a YES/NO vote.
12.33pm - 21.02.2012 Max - Tayside, Scotland Report This
The irony here is that it is now speculated that not only did Alistair Darling oppose the setting up of a Scottish Parliament back in 1997 but as Treasury Minister he was vehemently opposed to tax raising or tax varying powers being given to the parliament. Darling lacks any credibility.
02.33pm - 21.02.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Sam, could you explain what you mean by your comment? The SNP has always campaigned for independence. What makes you believe it has changed? I would hate it to be simply disinformation on your part ;)
08.46pm - 21.02.2012 Sam - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
@ Stuart. It's all explained. You have gone from touting independence to hiding behind civic Scotland and something just short (Devo-Max). Why not just come clean? You now prefer riding on the Union's coat tails by staying in Britain & keeping sterling and the BofE as lender of last resort!
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