Field slams Labour record

Labour has failed its core voters on immigration and public services, leading rebel Frank Field will say later today. The former welfare minister and leader of the backbench rebels responsible for Gordon Brown’s humiliating 10p income tax U-turn will make the claim in a lecture at the University of Hertfordshire, where he is chancellor. Mr […]

SNP savage Labour over referendum at first ministers questions

Alex Salmond, the Scottish National party (SNP) first minister of Scotland, has savaged his Labour counterpart Wendy Alexander at first minister’s questions. The attack follows Ms Alexander’s calls on the SNP on Sunday to “bring on” a referendum. To jubilant cheers from his supporters, Mr Salmond joked: “Let me acknowledge the progress Wendy Alexander has […]

SNP and Tories round on Labour over Scottish referendum

The Scottish National party (SNP) and the Conservatives have both launched attacks on Gordon Brown for his handling of Wendy Alexander’s calls for a referendum on Scottish independence. Problems began on Sunday, while Mr Brown was still reeling from his poor elections performance, when Ms Alexander – Labour’s Scotland leader and once a member of […]

Just ‘one in five’ Scots in favour of independence

A new poll has shown that only one in five Scots are in favour of political independence from the UK. Labour’s plans for devolved government saw Scotland given its own parliament in 1998 though the UK parliament retains the power to increase or reduce the legislative might of Holyrood. But since the Scottish National Party, […]

Salmond renews ‘national conversation’ efforts

Scottish first minister Alex Salmond is focusing on civic institutions as the second phase of his government’s ‘National Conversation’ on devolution begins. The Scottish National party (SNP) leader wants trade unions, universities and colleges, business representatives and those from religious, legal and voluntary groups to contribute to the debate on whether Scotland should achieve full […]

“We are stronger together” – PM defends union

Gordon Brown has today written in defence of the union, arguing “secessionist forces” are loudly at work to undermine it. Writing in the Telegraph, the prime minister said: “We must be resolute in defending the union and argue against those who put it at risk.” Mr Brown argued the union is a force for good […]

Brown stresses Britishness over ‘English question’

Gordon Brown today denied suggestions an “English question” hangs over his premiership. Addressing the Commons liaison committee, Mr Brown rejected calls for a separate English parliament. Instead he quoted a recent opinion poll showing English support for the union is “very high indeed”. “With the whole of the UK there is a recognition of the […]

Cameron speaks out for English-Scottish union

David Cameron today spoke out in defence of the union under the slogan “stronger together”. Speaking as the leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party, Mr Cameron said an imperfect union was preferable to a broken one. Although he said there were legitimate constitutional questions posed by the relationship between Scotland and England – most […]

Salmond sets ten-year target for independence

Scottish first minister Alex Salmond has set a ten-year target for winning independence from Westminster. The SNP leader had previously promised to hold a referendum on independence by the end of the nationalist party’s first term in government. Yesterday, however, he predicted Scotland would gain independence within a decade, leaving it free to raise its […]

Salmond pushes Scottish referendum vote

Alex Salmond has said a referendum bill offering independence to the Scottish people will be enacted during the current Scottish parliament. The Scottish National party (SNP) leader, delivering the leader’s speech at the SNP conference in Aviemore, said the bill would be placed before Holyrood in time for it to be passed by the current […]