Sturgeon calls for consensus to head off a power-grab

TOM GORDON

Ms Sturgeon said the Yes-Yes campaign in 1997 showed how the SNP and other parties could make progress on devolution, despite their disagreements on its “final destination”.

She said Brexit made it imperative to unite once more to stop Holyrood’s powers being eroded.

In a speech that mentioned “consensus” 10 times, she said MSPs and Scottish MPs on the opposition benches at Westminster needed to work together to force Theresa May to change a Brexit bill that would “erode the settlement the people of Scotland voted for” in 1997.

She said: “Even though there is still disagreement – passionate disagreement – about the final destination of our constitutional journey, we should nevertheless seek a new spirit of consensus to match that achieved in 1997.

“With Brexit now threatening the underpinning principle of devolution and many of our vital national interests, it is essential we do so.

“Let’s be clear: the people of Scotland voted for the Parliament. The settlement on which it is based belongs to them, not to this or any other UK government.

“That bill must be changed. Our Parliament must be protected.”

She also wanted to seek consensus on Holyrood having “flexibility” over immigration policy, and cross-party collaboration on forging partially-devolved social security.

She said: “I believe if we are prepared to put party interest aside in favour of the national interest, it is possible to reach agreement on a cross-party basis to protect and modernise the post-war welfare state.”