Scottish Devolution: Gordon Brown Begs for Changes 'Without Conditions'

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for the government to fulfil on promises, that it would grant Scotland greater devolution, "without conditions".

Speaking in a parliamentary debate, Brown urged lawmakers to push through with greater devolution proposals for Scotland, without waiting for a decision on whether to stop Scottish MPs for voting on English laws – dubbed the West Lothian Question.

"Please stick to those promises on the timetable you agreed. Scotland won't accept less," said Brown.

"The people who signed it - 'Yes' voters and 'No' voters alike - are determined that the vow made by all the three main party leaders on Tuesday, 16 September, before the referendum is kept."

On 18 September, over 80% of Scots turned out to vote and, in the end, 55% decided Scotland should stay part of the 307-union with England.

On 19 September, UK Prime Minister announced plans to possibly end 59 Scottish MPs to vote on England-only laws.

While Cameron pledged to push on with granting Scotland more powers immediately, politicians from his own Conservative party, as well as others, have voiced concerns over the impact the unprecedented control that the country would have on the rest of the UK.

Brown, as part of his plea in parliament, added that "the proposal, in practice, turned out not to be any new English rights of representation, but a reduction in Scottish rights of representation in the House of Commons."

"This was clearly an issue material to the vote in the referendum and the failure to tell people beforehand of the proposed change in Scottish representation has fuelled the demonstrations, petitions and allegations of betrayal, bad faith and breach of promise that have dominated much of Scottish political debate over the past month.

"But the Conservative plans for the constitution did not end there. When combined with their proposals to devolve all income tax to the Scottish Parliament, Scottish MPs would be removed not just from ordinary lawmaking on English matters but from the most decisive votes a parliament can make - votes on income tax rates and thus on passing the budget."

Meanwhile, the Smith Commission, which is tasked with putting together the devolution proposals, has said that the timetable for changes is "unrealistic."