Cameron expected to deny SNP leader’s demands for more powers for Scots in Edinburgh meeting.
David Cameron was expected to warn Nicola Sturgeon today that she must "respect" his role as Britain's Prime Minister as he travels to Scotland for his first showdown talks with the SNP leader following the general election.
In what is expected to be a tense encounter, Cameron will meet Sturgeon in Edinburgh for their first significant meeting since the SNP wiped out Labour in Scotland, winning 56 seats out of 59 in the general election.
Sturgeon is expected to use the talks to make demands for greater autonomy for her Government, calling for an end to austerity in Scotland and more powers for Holyrood over welfare and employment law as well as the ability to set the minimum wage and business taxes.
Downing Street made clear that the Prime Minister will be conciliatory, but that he will promise only to hand over powers to Scotland agreed last year by the Smith Commission.
The Smith Commission was announced by Cameron last year after the Scottish independence referendum.
Cameron is to pledge to Sturgeon to have a Scotland devolution bill in this month's Queen's Speech. And he will say that he will work with Scottish Government "for the benefit of all the people of Scotland". However, he was expected to reject Sturgeon's demands for extra powers not set out in the Smith agreement.
In a clear rebuke to Cameron ahead of the talks, the SNP leader said that the Smith Commission proposals were only "a good starting point".
Sturgeon is expected to tell the Prime Minister that the general election result shows that yet more powers must be devolved to Scotland.
She will suggest that with only one Tory MP in Scotland, the Prime Minister does not have a mandate north of the border.
However, ahead of the talks in Bute House, Cameron confirmed that he would only go as far as "remaining true to the promise we made to implement the all-party Smith agreement to make Scotland one of the most accountable and powerful devolved parliaments in the world".
He said: "Scotland has two governments and it is the duty of the First Minister and myself to respect each other's roles and responsibilities and to work together for the benefit of all the people of Scotland.
Nicola Sturgeon. Photo / AP
"As more powers are devolved to Scotland, it is time to move beyond the debate about processes and focus on those bread-and-butter issues that affect every family in our United Kingdom - jobs, homes, good schools and strong public services, and dignity and respect in retirement. These are the building blocks we need to provide a brighter future for people in every part of our country."
Sturgeon said: "I am looking forward to serious and substantial talks with the Prime Minister.
"We will take forward a constructive and co-operative approach in our dealings with the UK Government.
"But, as I have made crystal clear, the general election result last week, and the overwhelming mandate that has given the SNP, means that it simply cannot be business as usual when it comes to Westminster's attitude to Scotland - whether on public spending or on more powers for Scotland.
"The proposals of the Smith Commission are a good starting point, but the election result shows that people all across Scotland are keen to move beyond the extra powers it identified."
Referring to the list of demands she will present to Cameron, the SNP leader said: "Scotland expects these powers to be delivered." Telegraph Group Ltd
