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Powers to help “heal divisions” caused by referendum debate

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said conference after a No vote will heal divisions caused by referendum debate.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said conference after a No vote will heal divisions caused by referendum debate.

A conference on more powers for Scotland will help “heal the divisions” caused by the referendum.

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has vowed to hold the event within 30 days of a No vote.

The idea put forward by former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell is in response to SNP claims only independence will improve Scotland and backing the union is a vote for the status quo.

In a speech in the Borders last night, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the party was committed to building a stronger Scotland in the event of a No vote, with work beginning straightaway with a Conference on the New Scotland.

He told the audience: “People can be confident that a No vote in September does not mean no change. Scottish Liberal Democrats were the first out of the blocks with Sir Menzies Campbell’s plans for home rule in a federal UK.

“Since then Scottish Labour and the Scottish Conservatives have set out their plans for more powers. And since then we have stood on a joint platform committing to deliver more powers in the event of a No vote some weeks from now.”

Mr Rennie said the referendum has sometimes been a divisive experience, splitting families and communities and that was why it was important to deal constructively with the consequences.

“Our Conference on the New Scotland will harness consensus to lay the foundations of a stable home rule settlement,” Mr Rennie said.

“After a polarised and sometimes divisive referendum, this sentiment of consensus will be more important than ever before.

“It will be the forum for healing divisions which have too often cut deeper than other political debates.

“It will work in the interests of the people of Scotland, delivering more powers to Scotland within the UK and bringing people together in pursuit of that common endeavour.”