cotland ought to have “as shut as you will get” to dwelling rule, Higher Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has mentioned, whereas discussing a doable second independence referendum.
Mr Burnham mentioned he was nonetheless against Scottish independence however mentioned the structure of the UK wanted to be “utterly rewired”.
He was interviewed by former Labour MSP Neil Findlay at an Edinburgh Fringe occasion on Tuesday.
Mr Burnham additionally informed the viewers he had requested to fulfill First Minister Nicola Sturgeon throughout his go to to Scotland, however didn’t hear again from her workplace.
The Scottish Authorities later mentioned this was not the case.
He additionally spoke about his dispute with the Scottish Authorities over Covid journey guidelines, saying the way in which the journey ban was imposed in the course of the pandemic was an instance of “the Scottish Nationwide Celebration treating the north of England with contempt”.
Mr Burnham mentioned being mayor for the final 5 years had given him “extra of a perspective on the Scottish independence debate”.
He mentioned: “This nation, the UK must be utterly rewired, there must be a redistribution of energy.”
He continued: “I perceive how, for Scotland, simply saying: ‘OK, the established order however with a bit extra devolution’ isn’t a solution if there’s to be one other referendum.
“You need to have a significantly better different subsequent time and that for me is a totally rewired Westminster the place I’d say a proportional illustration for the Commons, a Senate of the nations and areas elected to exchange the Home of Lords.
“Rather more devolution out of the entire thing, as shut as you will get to dwelling rule for Scotland I’d say.”
Inside Scotland, he mentioned extra energy ought to be devolved from Edinburgh to native communities.
Setting out his constitutional views additional, he mentioned: “I by no means wish to see a border throughout the highest of the north of England and Scotland in my lifetime.”
I by no means wish to see a border throughout the highest of the north of England and Scotland in my lifetime
The Higher Manchester mayor later mentioned his dispute with the Scottish Authorities over the Covid journey ban imposed in the summertime of 2021.
He mentioned this was finished with none notification or dialogue along with his workplace, including: “What message do folks within the Scottish Authorities suppose that despatched to folks in our place? Mainly, ‘you’re not welcome’.”
He continued: “We count on the Tories to deal with the north of England with contempt, however that was the Scottish Nationwide Celebration treating the north of England with contempt.”
Saying he was assembly with Glasgow council’s chief Susan Aitken on Wednesday, he added: “I requested to fulfill the First Minister whereas I used to be right here and I haven’t had a reply.”
A Scottish Authorities spokesman mentioned: “It’s factually incorrect to say that no reply was despatched to Mr Burnham’s assembly request.
“The First Minister’s workplace contacted Mr Burnham’s workplace the identical day the assembly request was obtained.
“Since then, in dialogue along with his workplace, an agenda has been agreed and dates recognized.
“The First Minister stays open to this assembly happening.”
A Scottish Authorities spokesman added later: “Each places of work have right now recognized an acceptable time for the assembly and the First Minister is wanting ahead to assembly Mr Burnham tomorrow (Wednesday).”
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