Wednesday

6th Dec 2023

Cameron promises more devolution across UK

Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday (19 September) promised more powers will be devolved to all parts of the UK while expressing his delight that Scotland voted to stay a part of the United Kingdom.

Cameron said Scotland will be granted more say over tax, spending, and welfare, “all agreed by November and draft legislation published in January.”

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

  • UK prime minister David Cameron has promised to devolve more power across the UK (Photo: Downing Street)

The Conservatives, Labour and the Liberal Democrats had earlier signed a pledge to give Scotland "extensive new powers" should the UK remain intact.

Cameron said the commitments made would “be honoured in full” adding that he was "delighted" that a majority of Scots chose to remain in the 307-year union in a referendum on Thursday.

The prime minister appointed Lord Smith of Kelvin to oversee the devolution process.

As results poured in giving the No camp a clear lead, pro-independence leader Alex Salmond conceded defeat in the early morning hours.

The Scottish first minister announced he had “accepted the democratic verdict of the people of Scotland” and described the referendum “as a triumph for the democratic process and participation in politics.”

Cameron, for his part, indicated that although the referendum resulted in a No to independence, there would be change across the board.

"Just as the people of Scotland will have more power over their affairs, so it follows that the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland must have a bigger say over theirs."

"It is absolutely right that a new and fair settlement for Scotland should be accompanied by a new and fair settlement that applies to all parts of the United Kingdom.

"In Wales, there are proposals to give the Welsh Government and Assembly more powers."

"In Northern Ireland, we must work to ensure that the devolved institutions function effectively. We have heard the voice of Scotland - and now the millions of voices of England must not go ignored."

The European Commission by early Friday morning had yet to react to the vote. But the result removes the prospect of months of political headache as an independent Scotland would have been unchartered territory for the EU.

Sweden’s foreign minister Carl Bildt tweeted: “The United Kingdom stays united. So must Europe.”

The markets have also reacted to the verdict with the British pound soaring on the foreign exchange.

Scotland chooses to stay in UK

Voters in Scotland have said No to independence from the UK, but the intense campaigning and record-high turnout are models for separatist movements elsewhere in Europe.

Cameron in a pickle over Scotland promises

British PM David Cameron is under fire from his own party and from the Labour opposition for having promised more powers to Scotland but being vague on similar devolution plans for England.

Brussels denies having no 'concern' on Spain's amnesty law

The Spanish government remains secretive about its negotiations with pro-independence Catalans, but claims the EU Commission has "zero concerns" about their proposed amnesty law for Catalan separatists. The EU executive denies that.

Opinion

Can Green Deal survive the 2024 European election?

Six months ahead of the EU elections, knocking an 'elitist' climate agenda is looking like a vote-winner to some. Saving the Green Deal and the EU's climate ambitions starts with listening to Europeans who are struggling to make ends meet.

Latest News

  1. EU nears deal to fingerprint six year-old asylum seekers
  2. Orbán's Ukraine-veto threat escalates ahead of EU summit
  3. Can Green Deal survive the 2024 European election?
  4. Protecting workers' rights throughout the AI revolution
  5. Russia, the West, and the geopolitical 'touch-move rule'
  6. Afghanistan is a 'forever emergency,' says UN head
  7. EU public procurement reform 'ineffective', find auditors
  8. COP28 warned over-relying on carbon capture costs €27 trillion

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  3. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  4. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?
  5. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsThis autumn Europalia arts festival is all about GEORGIA!
  6. UNOPSFostering health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us