Marc Weller discusses implementing the pledge for extensive new powers for Scotland
Two days before the Scottish referendum, the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats signed the pledge. In a declaration published on the front page of the Scottish Daily Record , David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg vowed to devolve significantly more powers to Scotland should the “No” campaign win the referendum.
Now, after the clear defeat of proposed independence, the question is what the pledge actually entails. It was made hastily, when polls suggested in the final days before the ballot that “Yes” was in the ascendency. As with any wedding, it is only sometime after the marriage ceremony that the full meaning of the vows exchanged becomes apparent to the principals. Except, in this instance, there is no time to let the realisation of continuous union sink in and start considering the terms governing the common future with due deliberation.
The pledge was short on substantive details, but extraordinarily clear on the process. There is to be a discussion proposal for the new relationship with Scotland within six
