THE SNP has pledged to deliver more powers to Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles if voters say “yes” at next year’s referendum.
The promise contained in the long-awaited white paper on independence follows a campaign by the three island local authorities to have more say over their economic growth.
But last night, Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said the SNP had the powers to act now and should not be using the move as “bait for a ‘yes’ vote”.
The section on island powers formed part of the 670-page blueprint for an independent Scotland published yesterday.
First Minister Alex Salmond hailed the document as a “revolution” in social policy with a key pledge on childcare for three and four-year-olds aimed at encouraging more mothers to return to the workplace.
Other headline policies included the removal of Trident nuclear weapons and the abolition of the so-called “bedroom tax”.
The paper also said an independent Scotland would keep the pound and remain a member of the European Union.
Mr Salmond declared: “Scotland’s future is now in Scotland’s hands.”
But last night Alistair Darling, leader of the pro-union Better Together campaign, said the white paper failed to properly address key questions.
And Mr Carmichael described the paper as “a wish list without a price list”.