A cross party approach is needed to spell out what further powers Scotland would get if voters reject independence next year, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has said.
The Liberal Democrat leader laid down the gauntlet to Labour and the Conservatives to spell out their vision of where devolution would go if the referendum ends with the UK staying together.
In the closing speech of the party’s conference in Glasgow, Mr Clegg said he loves Britain’s make up of “different peoples, different traditions, different histories” and enthused about sporting rivalries between the island’s individual countries.
He also described home rule, which would mean greater financial powers handed to the Scottish Parliament, as now being a “tantalising prospect”, adding that it was time for a “new settlement”.
Mr Clegg told delegates said: “The decision in a year’s time does not need to be between breaking the bond or keeping the status quo that’s a false choice.
“No does not mean no change. A Scottish decision to remain within the UK family can and must give way to a new settlement for this nation.”
He added: “Once the issue of Scotland’s continued participation in the United Kingdom is hopefully settled next year, I want to see a new cross party approach to the next advance in Scottish devolution.
“Willie Rennie has signalled his willingness to work with the Scottish Labour and Conservative leaders ahead of next year’s vote and I support him.”
Mr Clegg claimed Liberal Democrat values were needed to keep Britain “on the right track.”
Claiming credit for restraining the more right-wing instincts of his Tory coalition partners, Mr Clegg said Lib Dems have waged an “endless battle” in Government, fighting “tooth and nail” to block policies such as inheritance tax cuts: “fire at will” employment laws, regional pay for the public sector and ditching the Human Rights Act.
Although he and Prime Minister David Cameron “try and seek compromise”, he said: “sometimes compromise and agreement isn’t possible and you just have to say no.”
Mr Clegg received a standing ovation from activists as his 51-minute speech came to an end.
He then strode into the audience and embraced wife Miriam before walking though the auditorium with an arm around her shoulder.