Dalyell: Speaking out against devolution

Dalyell Insists he Won't be Silenced

Mr Dalyell admitted there were some members of his local party in Linlithgow who did not want him to continue as their MP.

But he insisted that devolution plans were the start of "a motorway without exit" to the "dewiring" of Britain.

Mr Dalyell had a weekend meeting with his local party after he publicly challenged the Minister without Portfolio Peter Mandelson to justify claims that Scotland had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enhance its influence as part of the UK.

"This particular claim by Peter is plain silly," Mr Dalyell told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He said that three of the four main Treasury ministers, including Chancellor Gordon Brown, were Scottish, along with several other Cabinet ministers.

"The role of Scots in the UK could hardly be stronger and therefore to say that 129 politicians in Edinburgh would strengthen it is plain silly of Peter," he said.

Mr Dalyell said public opposition to devolution has led to problems with his constituency party.

"It is very clear that a number in the constituency party do not want me as their candidate. That is their right," admitted Mr Dalyell. "I would say to them that this is an overwhelmingly important matter, that we are at the beginning in my view of a motorway without exit to the break up of the UK."

He said the "break up" of the UK tax system had to be explored more deeply than just in a general question in a referendum.

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