Gordon Brown is getting into the Scottish independence debate and calling for a 'third way

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has an alternative to full-blown Scottish independence from the UK, as the debate over a second Scottish referendum ramps up.During a speech in Fife on Saturday morning, Brown suggested giving Holyrood vast new powers, including the responsibility of signing treaties with other European nations and setting VAT - as long as it stays in the UK.He deemed the third option "a patriotic Scottish way and free from the absolutism of the SNP and the do-nothing-ism of the Tories" and essential, as post-Brexit realities "make the status quo redundant and require us to break with the past.""The extremism of conservatism and nationalism make the case for a third option ' a patriotic Scottish way" GB speaks in Kirkcaldy now' Gordon & Sarah Brown (@OfficeGSBrown) March 18, 2017GB: 'Our new Scottish patriotic way combines the powers we need with the resources we require. Our options offer more power to the people."' Gordon & Sarah Brown (@OfficeGSBrown) March 18, 2017Brown spoke at the Festival of Ideas where he also called for the repatriation to Scotland of 800 million spent by the EU.His alternative comes as first minister Nicola Sturgeon increases pressure on Theresa May for a second independence referendum, having said a fresh vote was crucial given June's Brexit vote.The Scottish National Party leader said the "material change of circumstances" brought about by the Brexit vote justified the repeat of the 2014 referendum, adding "if the Scottish parliament gives me that authority then that should be respected by the UK government.""The Scottish government's mandate for offering this choice is beyond doubt," Sturgeon said earlier this week in Edinburgh."There is definitely a better way forward for Scotland," says former Prime Minister Gordon Brown regarding its independence and Brexit pic.twitter.com/l48aAgL7DS' Sky News (@SkyNews) March 18, 2017In his speech later, Brown also suggests that the Bank of England change to the Bank of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with fully staffed representation in Scotland to emphasise "the fact that the pound is for everyone".Brown's compromise, will, he believes, deliver an outcome that suits everyone."With these proposed new powers let us send a message today - and I will fight for this in the weeks and months ahead - that from now on the debate on the future of Scotland will no longer be limited to two options," Brown said.Join the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: Here's how Attorney General Sessions could shut down the legal marijuana industry overnight
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