FEDERAL BRITAIN: Gordon Brown demands MORE power for Scotland after Brexit
BREXIT could be the UK’s chance to create a more “federal” Britain and focus on devolving powers to the Scottish government, according to Gordon Brown.
Gordon Brown introduces his "Third Option" for Scotland
The former prime minister has made repeated calls for more powers to be distributed from Westminster and passed on to Scotland and other devolved bodies.
And he previously warned Britain needed wholesale reform of the UK to guard against discontent, as different regions were “desperately seeking their own opt-outs” from a hard Brexit.
Gordon Brown and Nicola Sturgeon could come to blows over his comments for further devolution
Now the Labour politician has called for the Government to consider handing further powers back to devolved bodies following the UK’s exit of the European Union in a bid to halt independence calls.
Writing in the Financial Times, he said: “Brexit could herald a further centralisation of the UK as yet more power accumulates in London, or we could seize a newfound opportunity to devolve power and create a more decentralised and even federal UK.”
Gordon Brown campaigned for Remain before the EU exit referendum
Gordon Brown ruins SNP's economic case for independence
The Labour stalwart argued a number of powers previously transferred to Brussels are now “set to be repatriated to Britain”.
These include controls over issues such as migration, agriculture, value added tax and competition policy.
And he insisted many of these powers could then be handed out further, giving more power to Holyrood as the debate over a second Scottish referendum lingers.
STURGEON SCRAPES SUPPORT FOR SECOND REFERENDUM IN HISTORIC HOLYROOD VOTE
Brexit could herald a further centralisation of the UK as yet more power accumulates in London, or we could seize a newfound opportunity to devolve power and create a more decentralised and even federal UK
SNP leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has continued to push forward with her plans for another referendum - a move that directly clashes with further devolution.
And this week she was accused of planning an “endless” campaign to try and force British prime minister Theresa May to back down, in a damning speech by Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson.
Nicola Sturgeon and Theresa May are also battling it out over a Scottish independence vote
Gordon Brown is staunchly against Brexit and Scottish independence
But Mr Brown, who campaigned for Scotland to remain in the Union, hopes to encourage Scottish voters to instead embrace Brexit as a chance to gain more powers without the hassle of leaving the UK.
The former Labour leader also called for the creation of regional councils to complement the elected Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and London authorities, to ensure rural communities do not feel left behind.
But he added that “devolving new powers to some areas of the UK will simply inflame a sense of injustice in others”.