Alex Salmond increases demands for more powers

ALEX Salmond has stamped his authority on Scotland's newly drawn political map, using the first speech of his second term in office to demand a massive and immediate transfer of powers on tax, broadcasting and the European Union to his new administration.
Opening the fourth session of the Scottish Parliament, which he hopes will end in independence for Scotland, the SNP leader made an immediate call for UK ministers to respond to his landslide victory two weeks ago, claiming it was time for MSPs to "seize the moment" handed to them by the voters.

He urged MSPs of all parties to back a raft of new powers, saying he wanted the devolved government to control excise duty on alcohol and cigarettes, create a new digital Scottish TV channel, and win a guarantee of a seat at the European table.

The fresh list of demands - along with previously aired calls for the devolution of corporation tax and control over the Crown Estate, and immediate borrowing powers - goes beyond the significant new powers that UK ministers are proposing to hand over to Holyrood in the form of a new Scotland Bill.