Smith Commission Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Smith Commission

Alec Shelbrooke Excerpts
Thursday 27th November 2014

(9 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alistair Carmichael Portrait Mr Carmichael
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I caution the hon. Lady about seeking to claim too much credit on behalf of her party, or any other. As I said, this required us all to participate in good faith, and we all had to make compromises. No individual party should seek to claim too much credit; it was a joint effort. She knows that I am sympathetic to devolution to parts of England, but a concrete proposal has to be worked out. We did that over many years in Scotland, and I am afraid there is no quick or easy way for her and her communities now to do it for themselves.

Alec Shelbrooke Portrait Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con)
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The Scottish referendum showed without doubt that a large number of people who voted for the SNP may not necessarily have wanted independence. May I urge my right hon. Friend to ensure that, when the SNP wipes out the Labour party next May, it is seen as a rejection of the Labour party rather than a reflection of the need for further devolution or separation?

Alistair Carmichael Portrait Mr Carmichael
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I think we should all be cautious of trying to predict the outcome of next May’s election.