Yes voters ‘heartbroken’ over Westminster ‘snub’

David Cameron accused Labour of “not being interested in fairness” for the UK after the Ed Miliband’s party decided to boycott a debate on English votes for English laws. Labour says the talks are “a political stitch-up” and argues that “proper reform” is needed.

Three weeks after Scotland voted to remain as part of the union, independence supporters believe that the political fighting in Westminster only means more delay on proposed new powers for Scotland.

Just days before Scots went to the polls to vote on independence, David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg signed a “vow” that appeared on the front page of the Daily Record newspaper. It promised “faster, safer and better change” if Scots rejected independence.

The prime minister angered Scottish nationalists on the morning after the referendum when he said that implementation of further devolution in Scotland should go “in tandem with” moves to resolve the long-standing question of whether Scottish MPs should be allowed to vote on laws which affect only England or England and Wales.

We're not stopping, we want change and we don't want the status quo. Jordan Lindsay, 17

Jordan Lindsay, 17, from East Kilbride, was an activist for the yes campaign. He told Channel 4 News that he feels that the Westminster party leaders are pulling back on their promises. “It wasn’t even 24 hours after the result of the referendum when some Tory MPs said they were backtracking,” he said. “It was heart-breaking.”

“If you look at the way that since the referendum result, the SNP membership has trebled – that’s a clear outspoken view. We’re not stopping, we want change and we don’t want the status quo.”

“I’ve seen people tweeting, saying they regret voting no. It was really distressing to see that.”

No delay

The leader of the House of Commons, William Hague, insisted the government would not backtrack in devolving powers to Scotland. He told the Commons: “No-one is suggesting delay in the commitments we have made to Scotland in order to wait for a constitutional convention.”

Some Scots feel that if their country doesn’t get the powers it was promised, another referendum is inevitable. Billy O’Neill, a student at Eastwood High School told Channel 4 News: “A lot of what happens in Scotland over the next 10 or 20 years with regards to independence will depend on how Westminster, whoever’s in power, conducts itself”

On Sunday, Jordan Lindsay joined thousands of pro-independence supporters gathered in Glasgow’s George Square with the aim of maintaining the momentum the yes campaign saw in the final few weeks of the referendum.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” said Jordan. “The crowds kept growing throughout the day. It was branded on Facebook as a family fun day. It was full of kids, it wasn’t angry. It was a very positive upbeat event.”

Panoramic from #GeorgeSquare #hopeoverfear today @YesScotland
#ScotPol #indyref #devomax #scot2014
@citizentommy pic.twitter.com/NB0BvJHi10

— Paddy Gordon (@PaddyGordon) October 12, 2014

Glasgow was one of only four councils to vote for independence on 18 September. “I think Glasgow felt a bit cheated,” said Jordan. “It needed a bit of cheering up.”

Back in Westminster, Pete Wishartm, SNP MP for Perth, criticised David Cameron for not leading the debate in parliament. “It’s a total dereliction of duty,” he said. “He has not got the courage to look people in the eye and say the vow on more powers will be honoured without conditions.”

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said the debate was “more than just business as usual” and insisted it was “not strange at all” that the prime minister would not be speaking in it.

“The prime minister will be available for questioning by MPs tomorrow afternoon when he comes to the House for prime minister’s questions. The debate itself will be led by the ministers who are in charge of the area, William Hague and myself and that’s just business as usual.”