Indy campaigner , blogger and co-founder of Women for Independence, Kate Higgins has joined the steering group of the Campaign for Scottish Home Rule. Launched in October, the campaign is seeking to help deliver a meaningful home rule settlement for Scotland.

The campaign is about to launch a nation wide consultation and roadshow across Scotland to find out what the people of Scotland want from a Home Rule settlement.

Kate Higgins said: “There is a need for honest brokers to help build consensus on what home rule means and would look like for the people of Scotland, given Smith Commission’s failure to deliver.

“We were promised extensive new powers and we now know that the Smith Commission has not delivered that. In fact, given that many of the 16,000 submissions to the Commission called for the transfer of most tax and welfare powers, it appears to have ignored what much of Scotland wants.

“Instead, what we have is a guddle of pieces of policy devolved rather than the real powers needed to tackle poverty and create jobs.

“That’s why it is crucial that this campaign transcends party colours and reaches out to all the parties and people of Scotland to help achieve a meaningful Home Rule settlement. I’ve joined the Steering Group in a personal capacity but obviously I’m particularly keen to ensure that we bring about Home Rule so more women can have greater independence in all aspects of their lives.

Smith is only the beginning of that process. CSHR has exciting plans to get out there and engage with civic Scotland and I look forward to being part of this next step in Scotland’s journey.”

Welcoming Kate to the steering group, campaign chair Ben Thomson said: “It’s great to have such a talented campaigner who played such an important role in the referendum join our steering group. Kate brings a wealth of experience and real insight into why it’s so crucial that, at the very least, Westminster devolves to Holyrood those reserved powers linked to current devolved responsibilities, in particular relating to welfare.

“Scotland needs the full package of poverty alleviation and job creation tools at Holyrood so we can move towards a more focused and effective policy platform.”

NB

1. The Campaign for Scottish Home Rule includes people from across the political spectrum and from outwith party politics who have come together to make the case for an effective, sustainable and productive Home Rule settlement for Scotland.

2. The campaign has three basic principles: Responsibilities Devolved, Raising What You Spend, and Mutual Respect. More information at www.homerule.scot