Dear Editor A few weeks ago, in this newspaper, I predicted that the “extra powers” promised in the now infamous vow cobbled together by the Labour and Tory pals in better together would be “too little too late”.

And so it has proved, leaving the Smith report condemned by voices across civic Scotland and real powers over Scottish economic and social policy retained with the London Labour/Tory alliance.

Lord Smith correctly anticipated that the naysayers would laud his proposals while those who supported independence would express misgivings. He got that bit right but only that bit and it’s not just the Yes campaigners who say so.

An ICM poll showed that while a substantial majority of Scots (63%) support full devolution of taxes, the Labour/Tory alliance ensured that the so called extensive powers, in fact only very limited powers on income tax, excluded powers on pensions, national insurance, inheritance tax and universal credit, among others. The limited nature of the new powers led Jack McConnell, the former Labour First Minister to suggest that the limit on income tax may soon become a matter of regret for “everybody involved”.

The General Secretary of the STUC has said that the Smith proposals fell short of the STUC’s demands and criticised the lack of power to solve inequality in Scotland.

The Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations said that “today’s offerings fall far short of” the chance to assist the most vulnerable people.

So when you hear Labour/Tory spokespersons claiming that this is a vow that has been honoured, ask yourself, if nobody else seems to believe them, why should I?

So the net effect of the proposals, for that is all that they are and all that they can ever be this side of the general election for a new London Government, is that once again the people of Scotland are short changed by Labour/Tory. Proving, if proof be necessary, that while a promise from one Westminster leader is worth nothing then the promises of three London leaders will be worth three times nothing.

Once again real power is held in London and it is entirely possible that UKIP will influence how that turns out to a far greater degree than Milliband and his team.

And speaking of Milliband’s London team I am also predicting that his nominee, Jim Murphy will, on the back of the votes of London based MPs and others on the labour payroll vote, shortly replace Johan Lamont as leader in Scotland.

While that will be his title, the reality will continue that for labour in Scotland, “London rules” just as before.

However there is one thing that could upset the Labour /Tory applecart and that is when the people of Scotland elect a large number of Independence supporting MPs in May 2015.

Yours sincerely Cllr Archie Drummond