Sturgeon and Murphy agree Cameron is breaking his promises from referendum
NICOLA Sturgeon has accused David Cameron of a direct breach of his post-referendum promise of more powers for Scotland with his English-only manifesto giving English MPs the final say on income tax rates south of the Border.
The manifesto sets out a timetable for the implementation of Conservative plans for English votes for English laws within a year of the May 7 election and a promise to extend it to financial issues, in reflection of the devolution of tax-raising powers to Scotland.
The Smith Commission, which enshrined the vow of more powers for Scotland made before the referendum, states: “MPs representing constituencies across the whole of the UK will continue to decide the UK’s Budget, including income tax.”
Speaking on a visit to a children’s workshop in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon said: “What he is announcing today is firstly a direct breach of the Smith Commission proposals.
“But I’ve made clear on a number of occasions that if there are matters that are genuinely English only, that have no impact in Scotland, I think there’s a strong case for Scottish MPs not voting on them.
“The problem is there’s a lot of issues characterised as Englishonly that are anything but – matters relating to the English health service for example. Decisions taken on that have a direct impact on Scotland’s budget.”
Mr Cameron launched the Tories’ English manifesto at an event in Lincoln alongside Cabinet colleague William Hague.
He insisted ensuring English MPs have the final say over income tax and other key policies was ‘vital’ to hold the United Kingdom together.
Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy said: “The Tory Party manifesto revealed their commitment to breaking up UK income tax.
“This is an absolute breach of the agreement they made in the Smith Commission. It is the Tories’ own plan for full fiscal autonomy for England.
“We now have a Tory Party committed to an England-only tax system and the SNP hell-bent on Scotland-only t axes. Both outcomes would be bad for Scotland.”
SNP depute leader Stewart Hosie said: “David Cameron’s plans as outlined today in his party’s English manifesto are in stark contrast with what he said (he would do) during the referendum campaign last year.”