Clive Sneddon backs Steel Commission calls for new powers for Scottish Parliament

12.45.39pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 7th Mar 2006

Lord Steel of Aikwood

Dundee East Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson Dr Clive Sneddon has today (7th March 2006) welcomed the report by a team of senior Liberal Democrats chaired by former Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer David Steel.

The Steel report calls for a new Constitutional Convention to review the powers needed for the Scottish Parliament to work more effectively for the people of Scotland.

Clive commented,"As a member of the original Constitutional Convention I know it is for the people of Scotland to say how they should be governed, and this new report asks for representatives of all walks of life to come together again to review the experience of the last eight years, and make recommendations to improve what Scottish government can do for Scotland."

The two main changes proposed by the Steel Commission are:

(1) to transfer substantial revenue raising authority from Westminster to Holyrood so that Scottish Governments can develop the infrastructure for an improved Scottish economy, and this will also mean Scottish politicians become more financially accountable to the Scottish people than they are at present

(2) to transfer some of the reserved powers from Westminster, in order to secure a more rational and more federal division of powers between Holyrood and Westminster

Clive concluded, "A proper review of the working of the whole United Kingdom should follow from a Constitutional Convention within Scotland, and this is to be welcomed as a necessary step to more open and more democratic government."

Related Links:

Steel Commission News Story - Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Report of the Steel Commission.