Scottish Independence Debate / Tavish to represent LibDems in devolution talks
TAVISH Scott has been selected to participate in the upcoming cross-party talks on more powers for the Scottish Parliament.
The local MSP will join party colleague and former secretary of state for Scotland, Michael Moore, to represent Scottish Liberal Democrats on Lord Smith of Kelvin’s cross-party talks on more powers.
He said: “I am naturally very happy to have been selected to take part in these negotiations. We as a party were the first out the blocks with our plans for more powers, with Sir Menzies Campbell’s proposals for home rule in a federal UK published back in 2012.
“I am determined to make substantial changes so that Scotland can make more decisions closer to home that meet our specific needs here.
“With our hands on the purse strings we can have more control over our own destiny whilst sharing risk and reward within the United Kingdom.”
He added that it wasn’t enough for more powers to be devolved to Edinburgh.
“The grip on power in Edinburgh must be released too. I fully intend to strongly put forward the case for powers to be transferred beyond Edinburgh so that decisions can be taken locally, and therefore Shetland can have the opportunity to make the decisions to suit the islands specific needs.
“This is not just about transferring power from London to Edinburgh but also about transferring powers from Edinburgh out across Scotland.
“I intend to speak to many people and organisations across Shetland about this exciting future.”
Lord Smith of Kelvin has called on all parties to work together and hopes to be able to present recommendations for further devolution by 30 November.
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