Brown: New post-Brexit move could kill bid for referendum
A NEW post-Brexit home rule settlement for Scotland could kill off the SNP’s bid for a second independence referendum, Gordon Brown has warned.
The former Prime Minister said his proposal for a “more federal” relationship with the UK as it leaves the European Union is capable of winning support from up to 80 per cent of Scottish voters. Mr Brown set out details of the “more innovative constitutional settlement” ahead of his appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
He said that while voters must accept the EU referendum result, the new circumstances require a “constitutional breakthrough that transcends the sterile stand-off between a non-change conservative unionism and an unreconstructed nationalism”. The Labour stalwart described the recent slew of powers devolved to Holyrood as “already out of date” given the Brexit vote.
His new proposal includes examining the case for transferring powers from Brussels to Holyrood instead of Westminster, boosting Scotland’s funding settlement, and keeping only specific powers such as on currency, defence and security and pensions at the UK Parliament, while all other powers could be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
Asked during the festival event if such a plan could prevent a second vote on independence in Scotland, Mr Brown said: “I think the solutions I am proposing can avoid that. I am not convinced that people want independence, but I do know people are frustrated by the outcome of the European referendum.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a second independence referendum is “highly likely”, after Scots voted to Remain in the July referendum. But Mr Brown said her government had failed to make its case for independence, arguing the SNP is now proposing ending both a political and economic union.