Gordon Brown backing home rule for Scotland to foil second independence vote

A new post-Brexit home rule settlement for Scotland could kill off the SNP's bid for a second independence referendum, Gordon Brown has said.

The former prime minister said his proposal for a "more federal" relationship with the UK as it leaves the European Union is capable of winning support from up to 80% of Scottish voters.

Mr Brown set out details of the "more innovative constitutional settlement" ahead of his appearance at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

He said that while voters must accept the EU referendum result, the new circumstances require a "constitutional breakthrough that transcends the sterile stand-off between a non-change conservative unionism and an unreconstructed nationalism".

The Labour stalwart described the recent slew of powers devolved to Holyrood as "already out of date" given the Brexit vote.

His new proposal includes examining the case for transferring powers from Brussels to Holyrood instead of Westminster, boosting Scotland's funding settlement, and keeping only specific powers such as on currency, defence and security and pensions at the UK Parliament, while all other powers could be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.

Asked during the festival event if such a plan could prevent a second vote on independence in Scotland, Mr Brown said: "I think the solutions I am proposing can avoid that.

"I am not convinced that people want independence, but I do know people are frustrated by the outcome of the European referendum.

"We have got to show people who voted Yes that there is a better way forward. There are 45% of the population who voted Yes, many of them are younger people who will need to be convinced.

"I personally have never thought that all the people who voted Yes wanted independence in the way the SNP described it."

He added: "I believe now if we have a positive alternative, something similar to what I am proposing, it is capable of winning 75 to 80% support."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a second independence referendum is "highly likely", after Scots voted to Remain in the July referendum.

She has pledged to look at all options to protect Scotland's place in Europe, but has already began preparing legislation for another independence vote if it proves to be "the best or only way" of achieving this.

But Mr Brown said Ms Sturgeon's government had failed to make its case for independence, arguing that the SNP is now proposing ending both a political and economic union.

He said questions over currency, pensions, borders and Scotland's deficit of £15 billion still remain.

"I don't think they have any solution to the fiscal gap, which is around £15 billion, which is big enough to double the rate of income tax in Scotland if you want to maintain the same level of services," he said.

"I don't think they have any answer on the borders either, because if you want a separate migration policy in Scotland...you can't have an open border any more, you have to have a border where people are checked as they go from Scotland into England."

• Scottish News