Head to head talks in Scotland see Cameron hint at further devolution for SNP leader
THE Prime Minister has prepared the way for even greater devolution to Scotland after head to head talks with the Scottish First Minister.
David Cameron said he could go further than expected and implement “sensible suggestions” on more powers for Scotland in the wake of the SNP’s landslide in the general election.
The revelation comes after the PM’s first post election talks in Edinburgh with Nicola Sturgeon, in which Mr Cameron told the First Minister he would consider proposals from her government to extend the devolved settlement.
The Conservative leader confirmed he would include legislation to implement the cross-party Smith Commission on more powers for Scotland in the forthcom- ing Queen’s Speech, saying: “We will deliver the stronger Scottish Parliament, be in no doubt.”
But after Holyrood’s Devolution Committee said the draft clauses that have already been drawn up did not live up to either “the spir- it or the substance’’ of the Smith Agreement, the Prime Minister did not rule out further changes.
Mr Cameron said: “We’re going to look again at welfare and make sure the clauses reflect what that agreement was.”
He added: “The First Minister wants to send some proposals for me to look at and I’m happy to examine proposals, there’s going to be a debate, of course there will be a debate. I don’t rule out making other changes if sensible suggestions are made.”
He did, though, rule out full fiscal autonomy for Scotland, saying such a move would leave the Scottish people needing to find £7bn a year extra in spending cuts.
Meanwhile, Ms Sturgeon said two issues of significance had been agreed at the talks.
She said: “Firstly, there was a commitment from the Prime Minister that the legislation that they will shortly introduce to the Westminster parliament to implement the proposals of the Smith Commission will implement those proposals in full.”
Ms Sturgeon added: “Secondly, I have said we will put forward proposals for devolution further than the Smith Commission proposals.
“The Prime Minister has said they would consider those proposals.
“I am not going to put words in his mouth and say he has agreed any specific proposals, but there is an agreement to look at that and there will be a meeting with the Deputy First Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland to take that discussion forward.”