PRIME Minister Andy Burnham has apparently committed not to overrule the Scottish Parliament in his bid for further devolution across the UK – but said another referendum on independence is "off limits".
During a meeting between Burnham and First Minister John Swinney in Glasgow, marking the beginning of the Commonwealth Games taking place in the city, the pair discussed the constitution, a read-out from the Scottish Government said.
It was their first in-person conversation since Burnham became Prime Minister this week.
The Scottish Government claimed that during the meeting, Burnham also agreed to a further conversation on the constitution, including Scotland's right to choose its own future.
However, the UK Government later reiterated its view that another referendum wouldn't be happening.
According to the official write-up, Swinney welcomed Burnham to Glasgow and the Prime Minister thanked his government, as well as the city, for hosting the Games.
The statement continued: "The First Minister and Prime Minister discussed devolution and self-government, and noted that there were a number of opportunities for the devolution of further powers to improve the lives of the people of Scotland and across the UK.
"The Prime Minister made a commitment not to bypass the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government in further devolution of powers.
"The Prime Minister also firmly agreed that the way in which the UK Government engages with the devolved governments must improve.
"The First Minister and Prime Minister agreed to a further conversation on constitutional matters, where powers lie across the UK, and what will work for Scotland. The First Minister made clear that this must be built on respect for Scotland’s right to choose its own future.
"The First Minister was clear that he will continue to advance the democratic argument for independence, after the mandate he secured at the elections in May, and the recent vote in the Scottish Parliament."
Just days ago, Burnham effectively ruled out further referendums in his first call with the leaders of the devolved parliaments.
Downing Street said Burnham had conveyed that he was "focused on practical measures, not constitutional changes like further referendums".
Burnham reportedly told Swinney they will have to "agree to disagree" on Scottish independence on Tuesday morning.
There had been concern that Burnham could seek to overrule the Scottish Parliament in his pursuit of further devolution across the UK, with various pledges seeming to tread on Holyrood's toes into devolved areas.
In an article for the Scotsman, he failed to note that several areas he promised policy changes in, such as water ownership, housing and transport, are areas the Scottish Parliament has responsibility for.
One legal expert, Nick McKerrell, had told The National that creating new structures at Scottish council level from Westminster would require circumventing the Holyrood Parliament, and going into a fight with the Government.
Meanwhile today Swinney and Burnham also discussed economic growth, while the Scottish First Minister raised the issue of the energy profits levy, describing it as the "biggest obstacle to investment in the north east".
A read-out from the UK Government's side said the pair spoke about how to "build a model of devolution to improve people's lives across Scotland".
"The Prime Minister reiterated his belief that deeper devolution could make a real difference in helping communities across the UK to re-industrialise – creating jobs, transforming high streets and reviving local economies – and welcomed the First Minister's willingness to engage with that process," it said.
"The Prime Minister stated up front that another referendum on independence was off limits because it would take our focus away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living.
"More broadly, the Prime Minister said this was a moment for both sides to work together in a constructive relationship. He looked forward to regular engagement with the First Minister in the months ahead."
However, Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay Scottish Green co-leader was not impressed that Burnham had described a future referendum as "off limits".
She commented: "Democracy can’t be off limits. Scotland’s future should be decided by the people who live here, not by Andy Burnham.
“He says that even asking the question would be a distraction from the cost of living, but Westminster has kept making decisions that have pushed up bills and made life harder for people across Scotland.
“It is ridiculous for Andy Burnham to say that Westminster is failing and that power needs to be redistributed, only to ignore our Parliament and deny the people of Scotland the right to have their say."
She went on: "The commitment to more devolution is welcome, but people in Scotland have heard promises like this for years and they still haven’t been delivered.
“The only thing that Andy Burnham has devolved to Scotland so far is another Labour leadership crisis by appointing Anas Sarwar to the House of Lords.
“Scotland’s future cannot be put in an ‘off limits’ box by arrogant politicians at Westminster. The people who live here must be able to have their say.”
