"The first minister has asked policy advisers to draw-up proposals that could see an extension of the range of issues over which the Scottish executive has control.
Any ceding of further powers to Holyrood would require the consent of the government at Westminster, and the powers for MSPs to legislate on issues such as firearms restrictions, drugs, nuclear power stations, casinos, abortion, state benefits, broadcasting, international affairs and immigration are all up for debate.
Scottish ministers could also decide on the voting system, the size of the Scottish parliament and on hiring and firing Scottish civil servants, which, at present, is still done at Whitehall."
On a number of these issues (firearms, nuclear power,casinos, broadcasting, international affairs and immigration), Scottish Executive Ministers have already sought to push out the envelope and been firmly repulsed. And, given the number of Sewel motions where Holyrood has agreed that Westminster may legislate in areas for which Holyrood is at least nominally responsible, do Labour Executive Ministers really want to extend their powers into the more difficult areas?
Expect Scottish Labour MPs at Westminster to pour scorn on the latest proposals.
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