It’s often said that a week is a long time in politics and I certainly think this has been a week which will live long in the memory.
We started it by putting the wheels in motion to allow 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the next Holyrood elections and finished it by publishing draft legislation which will deliver substantial new powers for that institution.
The draft legislation puts in place a framework to deliver the recommendations of the all-party Smith Agreement. The UK Government has kept its end of this historic bargain and delivered the next chapter in devolution for Scotland. For the first time, it has backing across the political spectrum with all of Scotland’s main parties committed to the package of new powers for Scotland. That means this is an agreement which is truly built to last
It also strikes the right balance of powers for Scotland as part of the UK. That is what the majority of people want to see and these new powers will create a stronger Scotland and a stronger UK.
With a range of new powers at its disposal, in addition to the significant ones for which it already has responsibility, the Scottish Parliament will be one of the world’s most powerful devolved parliaments. The parliament will also be more responsible and more accountable.
I believe this agreement genuinely allows Scotland to have the best of both worlds as we also retain the safety and security of being part of the UK. Our pound, pensions and passports will remain unchanged while our armed forces and security services will continue to keep Scotland safe.
The Scottish Parliament will be able to use the new powers to make choices which reflect distinctive Scottish needs while keeping the safety and security of a wider UK in key areas such as pensions and defence.
And I think now is the time to start planning how best to use these new powers to build the best Scotland we can – a fair Scotland, a wealthy Scotland, a just Scotland.
Now is certainly not the time for synthetic outrage and moaning about vetoes that don’t actually exist or harking back to what might have been if the crucial vote on September 18 had gone a different way.
Contrary to anything you might have read, there is no veto in the welfare clauses in the draft legislation. What is included is a requirement for consultation between the UK and Scottish Governments – and that’s simply sensible government in an area of shared policy.
Since the referendum, the UK Government has worked hard to deliver on its promises and this week we have done just that – publishing the draft clauses ahead of the Burns Night deadline. Backed by all-party agreement, I am confident that legislation to enact the new powers will be put in place after the general election.
Reflecting on the past few months, I feel a sense of quiet pride. I am proud that we have delivered more powers for Scotland; I am proud that my country chose to remain part of the United Kingdom; I am proud that 16 and 17 year olds will be able to vote.
Above all, I am looking forward to our united future which is built to last.
Follow the Scotland Office on Twitter, and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter.