Dundee LibDems welcome the reconvened Steel Commission

11.53.36pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 17th May 2008

The Steel Commission - Lord Steel of Aikwood

Dundee LibDems have today (Saturday 17th May) welcomed the first meeting of the reconvened Steel Commission which will consider the next steps in developing a new settlement for Scotland.

Commenting after the meeting, Nicol Stephen MSP, Scottish LibDem Leader, said, "Thanks to the previous work of the Steel Commission, the Liberal Democrat approach to constitutional change has been both constructive and focused.

"Only the Liberal Democrats have offered a clear view of a more powerful Scottish Parliament. The chaotic meltdown of Labour and the Tories cosy relationship with the SNP means that only the Liberal Democrats are offering any effective opposition or scrutiny of the SNP government."

Speaking after the meeting in Edinburgh, Lord Steel said, "Scotland's future is too important to be left to the narrow nationalism of the SNP or the increasingly bizarre machinations of the tired and failing Labour Party.

"The Steel Commission report was the first to call for a review of devolution and therefore I warmly welcome the establishment of the Calman Commission. As part of our review of the Scotland Act, the Steel Commission will make a strong case to the Calman Commission for Scotland to gain new legislative and fiscal powers within the United Kingdom.

"No self-respecting parliament should exist permanently on a grant from another parliament. We have the opportunity for a radical review of the fiscal and legislative powers for the Scottish Parliament. I believe that this could deliver real benefits to the people of Scotland without the risk, cost and uncertainty of independence. All the evidence shows that that is what most people in Scotland want, and that will be the focus of our work over the coming months."

Here in Dundee, Liberal Democrat City Council Group Leader, Cllr Fraser Macpherson, added, "The work of the Steel Commission is crucial for the future of Scotland.

"The Liberal Democrats right across the UK are working together to achieve more powers for Scotland within the UK. We have a positive agenda for Scotland within the UK, in contrast to the other parties."

Related Link:

Poll shows less than a third support independence - STV news.