Weeks of intense negotiations over Scotland's future are on the horizon as parties delivered on Friday their proposals to the Smith Commission. This is the body responsible to agree on a set of recommendations on more self-government powers for Scotland, particularly in the areas of taxation, spending and  welfare. The commission delegates are expected to agree on a mutual proposal by November 30th. UK Prime Minister David Cameron wants the subsequent draft law to be ready by January 2015.

The commission is led by Lord Smith of Kelvin. Each of the five Scottish Parliament parties can send two delegates: the Scottish National Party (SNP), Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party.

The SNP proposal (which has been introduced as that of the Scottish government) sets a future framework which mostly resembles the devo max idea. The pro-independence party is thus calling for full internal self-government for Scotland, with Westminster only retaining powers over foreign affairs, currency, defense, citizenship, and monarchy. Under the SNP proposal, Scotland would manage all its taxes and domestic spending, and Scottish institutions would take over all responsibilities relating to welfare. The SNP also wants a law to explicitely recognize the right of Scots to freely decide their future.

The Green Party proposal meanwhile bears resemblance with the SNP's, although it places more emphasis on enhancing democracy, domestic decentralization and ecology.

According to an SNP-commissioned Panelbase survey, two thirds of Scots support devo max. 71% of them want Scotland to manage all its taxes, while 75% want Scotland to take control over welfare issues.

The other three parties submitted rather more modest proposals. All three unionist groups agree that Westminster should transfer more powers to Scotland (including some taxation), but the list of UK reserved matters is longer. Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats thus oppose devolving the pension system and broadcasting control, and refuse to divide the civil service body.

Thousands rally for independence

Meanwhile, thousands gathered yesterday in Glasgow downtown in a pro-independence rally. The event had been called by Tommy Sheridan. The pro-independence Solidarity party co-leader explained that the purpose was to "keep up the momentum" of the independence movement and to put pressure on UK politicians. Sheridan predicted a new referendum on independence taking place by 2020, if not earlier.