Poll shows Lib Dems have it right on Union question-Bruce

4.44.59pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 16th Jan 2007

Commenting on a poll carried out for the BBC Newsnight programme on attitudes towards the Union, local MP Malcolm Bruce said:

"The majority of Scottish voters want to promote their Scottish identity within the British state" :Malcolm Bruce

"I welcome this poll and its clear implications that the majority of Scottish voters want to promote their Scottish identity within the British state and English voters have similar aspirations."

"What this amounts to is a clear expression of the federalism that the Liberal Democrats have always championed.

Mr Bruce who is also the Chair of the Scottish Liberal Democrat campaign for the Scottish Parliamentary Elections added:

"The Liberal Democrats through the Steel Commission (chaired by David Steel) have published clear proposals for a new constitutional convention which will take devolution forward and define the sharing of further powers including financial responsibilities and rights.

"Ultimately these issues can only be properly addressed through a federal constitution. "

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The ICM/Scotsman poll, published on 16 January 2007 shows that 42% of the 18 - 24 age group believed the Union has had a positive impact on Scotland.  Only 19% of those surveyed felt that the Union had been negative.

The YouGov / Daily Telegraph Poll carried out in November 2006 showed 62% of those surveyed wanted the Scottish Parliament to have more powers.  The question read: "Should the Scottish Parliament have more powers?  For instance, should the Scottish Parliament be given greater power to raise its own revenues?"

62% said yes, 25% said no and 13% didn't know.

The Steel Commission contains proposals for a new constitutional convention to take devolution forward, defining the sharing of further powers including financial responsibilities and rights.  It was approved by the Scottish Liberal Democrats as party policy at the 2006 Autumn Conference.