Miliband in 100-day ‘home rule’ pledge

Labour leader Ed Miliband has pledged a Labour government would introduce a “home rule bill for Scotland” within 100 days of being in power.

During a visit to Glasgow to campaign alongside Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, Miliband said: “This Bill will give Scotland the powers that were promised over jobs, welfare and tax. But we want to go faster. Scotland needs the job creating powers that the Smith Agreement promised. And Scotland needs them now. Next month, Labour will force a vote on our Bill to pass these powers now.” 

A bill to devolve some further powers to Scotland was set out recently by the Prime Minister following a public vow by all the leaders of the pro-union parties before the referendum on Scottish Independence. David Cameron confirmed a Conservative Government would include it in the queen’s speech after the general election.

Miliband said Labour had “delivered the vow” and added “Just as in 1997, devolution will be one of the first things on our agenda for the next Labour Government.”

The SNP has suggested Labour’s claim the bill amounts to genuine home rule is “laughable”.

Miliband said there would be a separate manifesto for the party in Scotland, and dismissed talk of a power-sharing deal with the SNP if his party fails to win an overall majority. He was "determined" Labour hold on to their 41 Scottish seats in May, he said.