News / Politics

Cameron warned to do more for Scotland

Sunday, 10 May 2015 4:14 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 10 May 2015 4:15 PM ]

Scottish First Minister and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon. © AFP

First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon has warned Prime Minister David Cameron that he needs to do more for Scotland.

Sturgeon has said that fresh taxation and welfare powers to the Scottish parliament should be a priority for the Tory government. She said that the SNP now provides the real opposition to the Tories as she seeks to put as much pressure as possible on Cameron and the right-wing party.

"What we will argue for is priority devolution of powers over business taxes, employment, the minimum wage, welfare, because these are the levers we need to grow our economy to get people into work paying taxes and lifting people out of poverty…David Cameron did not give me any indication that he wanted to move beyond the current Smith Commission proposals.”

Nicola Sturgeon now believes she has the mandate to speak for Scotland as she presses ahead for new powers. There might soon be tension between her and her predecessor Alex Salmond. He looks likely to lead the group of 56 MPs at Westminster and she may find it difficult to retain her authority with such a big beast of British politics working closely with her.

But Sturgeon is adamant that all she is focused on is what is best for Scotland and what the group of MPs can do while at Westminster. She says that it is the responsibility of the Scottish government and our MPs down in the House of Commons to make sure we get a good deal."

With David Cameron in the process of picking an all-Tory cabinet and large demonstrations against the Tories and cuts already taking place, the SNP look like the opposition party with the most authority as Labour and the Lib Dems remain leaderless and lost. But it is still very early days.

LM/HA

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