The SNP’s negative response to Smith could set it adrift from Scottish people | Martin Kettle

The report on Scotland speaks for the 75% who want more devolution. It may shift the political centre of gravity

Lord Smith’s commission was set up by David Cameron to consider the devolution of further powers to Scotland. In the light of some of the immediate responses, this rather basic point about the commission’s work seems to need stressing, especially south of the border.

Today’s Smith report is about Scotland, not England. It is a set of commitments that would radically change the nature of government in a Scotland that has recently voted decisively to remain in the United Kingdom. These changes do indeed have implications for the rest of the UK. But Scotland is where, after more than 40 years of argument, such issues are front and centre and in need of action.

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