Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Labour says home rule would create `chaos'

John Arlidge
Monday 13 February 1995 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Labour and the Scottish National Party clashed last night over the issue of Scottish devolution in a television debate over Britain's constitutional future.

George Robertson, shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, condemned SNP independence plans, which he said would "smash up a country the Scots have helped to build", creating "chaos and confusion". Mr Salmond dismissed Labour's plans for a devolved assembly in Edinburgh as "toothless ... second-best and inadequate in the modern Europe".

Mr Robertson raised fears of an isolated, impoverished Scotland under SNP rule. He asked: "Do we really want to unpick the institutions that have been created over 300 years? Do want to make foreigners of our family and friends down south? Do we really want a separate Scottish currency, changing money for a weekend in Blackpool ... never mind the trouble for companies and industries as the Scottish pound fluctuates?"

Mr Robertson said Labour's new assembly, with an executive body responsible for implementing uniquely Scottish policies on health, education, housing, transport and the arts, would "take power out of Whitehall and return it to the people". But in a lively performance which forced Mr Robertson on to the defensive, Mr Salmond said Labour leaders from Keir Hardie onwards had promised home rule, but "the promise has never been delivered". Scotland was "an ancient nation with the trapping of statehood - a legal system, an education system, established churches, sporting teams - yet without the democratic heartbeat of nationhood; an independent parliament," he said.

That, he added, created "a vacuum that stifles our voice in Europe". If small European countries like Luxembourg could enjoy the benefits of independence in the European Union, so could Scotland. Separation and EU membership could be negotiated "in a matter of months". The "Great Debate" organised by the Scotsman newspaper and BBC Scotland took place in the chamber of the old Royal High School in Edinburgh, the building earmarked as the home of a future Scottish parliament. Mr Robertson and Mr Salmond were questioned by two journalists from the Independent and the Independent on Sunday, Andrew Marr and Neil Ascherson, and James Naughtie of the BBC.

The debate echoed the encounter between Mr Salmond and the then shadow Scottish secretary, Donald Dewar, before the last general election. Last night's exchange set the tone for the battle over the constitution which John Major has elevated to the top of the political agenda. The debate will be broadcast by BBC Scotland tonight.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in