Somewhat lost in the intense kerfuffle around September 18 was the fact that, two years ago, Prime Minister David Cameron vetoed having a third alternative on the ballot paper: ‘Devo-Max’, or the devolution of all power, bar defence, foreign affairs, monetary policy, citizenship, security, monarchy and the UK Parliament itself.

At the last minute before that vote, an uncompromising ‘indy-or-nothing’ strategy was ditched for a promise that a No result would result in ‘more powers’ and published in the Daily Record as a front-page ‘vow’. It was a timetable without specifics beyond: “The Scottish Parliament is permanent; extensive new powers will be delivered to it.” The Smith Commission was then set up to consider what those new powers might be. People have another week to submit their own views via www.smith-commission.scot (note use of new ‘.scot’ domain).

Such powers must not be delayed to resolve ‘English Votes for English Laws’ (EVEL) or caught up in party squabbles as we approach the May 2015 election.

My own submission argues for devolved powers beyond the 2012 Scotland Act (a position close to Devo Max) to include: - Major taxes, such as income tax, National Insurance and North Sea revenue; - Minor taxes, including capital gains, inheritance, Crown Estate, climate change levy, air passenger duty, aggregates levy, alcohol and tobacco duties, insurance premium tax, betting and gaming duties, fuel and vehicle excise duty; - Legislative power over company law, employment and discrimination law, corporation tax and stamp duty on shares; - Control of and responsibility for providing the welfare and benefits system, including the state pension; - Responsibility for defining favourable tax status of Scottish registered charities (including private schools) devolved to OSCR; - The balance of traffic management, including road signage and speed limits, to re-engineer town/rural/trunk speeds/priorities and improve town centres; - Bus route registration and operator powers (including regulation) and exemption for joint working from Monopolies Commission where in the public interest; - Railway legislative framework to permit public ownership, operation outside present franchises and power to influence cross-border franchising; and - Ability to devolve power further to local authorities and communities.

And, while we’re on that last point, Holyrood should itself devolve: - Full-scale strategic planning within City Regions, including integration of economic development, transport, infrastructure and renewables planning; - Strengthened duties/scrutiny of councils or regional transport partnerships to create sustainable networks facilitating local travel patterns of car alternatives; and, - Integrated, unified smart ticketing system similar to London’s Oyster to be rolled out across Scotland by city region.