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Reactions to the White PaperThere was nothing very unexpected in either of the White Papers and the reactions of other political parties to them have been largely predictable. The stance of the nationalist parties was the only slightly unknown quantity; the leadership of both Plaid Cymru and the SNP had indicated that they would not block a 'yes' vote in the referendums but this has only recently been confirmed.i. ConservativesThe Conservatives are opposed to what they see as the break-up of the Union. Constitutional Affairs Spokesman Michael Ancram argued that the proposals outlined in the White Papers would marginalise both Scotland and Wales within the UK and would lead to tax raises within Scotland. However the Conservatives have said that they would not abolish a Scottish Parliament or a Welsh Assembly were they to be established and that they would field candidates for both institutions.
ii. Liberal DemocratsThe Liberal Democrats were involved in the Scottish Constitutional Convention, the forum that produced the paper 'Scotland's Parliament, Scotland's Right' upon which much of the Scottish White Paper is based. Their support for the Scottish White Paper was never in doubt. However, they believe that the proposals in Wales do not go far enough and that there should be a Parliament with similar powers to those proposed for Scotland. Lembit Opik, Liberal Democrat spokesman on Wales welcomed the White Paper as 'a first step' in the Commons on 22 July. They will campaign for 'Yes' votes in the referendums, in spite of their belief that the referendums themselves are unnecessary.
iii. Plaid CymruPlaid Cymru has never dropped its position of support for an independent Wales, but it has decided to campaign for a 'Yes' vote in the referendum. At a special meeting on 26 July, Plaid's national council voted to campaign under the banner of the cross-party 'Yes for Wales' organisation.
iv. Scottish National PartyThe SNP's executive committee unanimously approved a recommendation from Alex Salmond to back the government's devolution proposals. A special meeting of the party's national council will be convened in Perth on 2 August, where it is likely to be rubber stamped. Two seats for SNP members have been reserved on the committee of Scotland Forward, the cross-party group heading the 'Yes Yes' campaign in Scotland. It is likely that these seats will now be filled.
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