UK GOVERNMENT'S PRIORITY WILL BE TO STRENGTHEN PRESENCE IN SCOTLAND

Commenting on a report in the Herald newspaper where Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael indicates that the UK Government's priority would be to strengthen its presence in Scotland, the Yes Scotland campaign said that this 'undermines' claims that the Scottish Parliament would have its powers strengthened after a No vote.
 
The report also quotes a 'source close to Nick Clegg saying that the UK Government's voice in Scotland needed to be 'enhanced rather than diminished' if there was a No.
 
Mr Carmichael said that: 'Once the vote is over we have to learn the lessons of how we came to be here.'
 
Yes Scotland Advisory Board member and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
 
'Alistair Carmichael has let the cat out of the bag about Westminster's attitude if there was a No vote - and undermines No campaign claims about more powers for Scotland. Rather than enhanced devolution, there would be a reassertion of Westminster's authority. It is not possible to have both, and thanks to Mr Carmichael the UK Government's attitude has now been laid bare.
 
'Alistair Carmichael used to say that the post of Scottish Secretary at Westminster was redundant and 'indefensible", but now the UK Government's role is to be actually strengthened - and there is a real danger that the Tories could be re-elected next year, which is a risk Scotland cannot afford to take.

'That is a big reason why we need a Yes vote in September, so that Scotland will have the certainty of knowing we will get the governments we vote for every time - not Tory governments which we overwhelmingly reject.
 
'Given that the Tories govern Scotland with just a single MP here, it is the Westminster system which has hollowed out proper representative democracy in Scotland. The latest poll puts Yes support at 46 per cent - within touching distance of a majority - and we intend to win in September.'

Yes Scotland Chief Executive Blair Jenkins said: 'Alistair Carmichael is actually making a compelling case for a Yes vote. The truth is that Westminster isn't working for Scotland and a No vote would not change that. Only with the full powers of independence can we ensure that Scotland's enormous wealth, talent and resources are used to create a more prosperous, fairer country.'