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Leaders Demand Talks On 'Injured' UK's Future

The UK as we know it is dead and "not fit for purpose" the leaders of Wales and Northern Ireland have declared.

The first ministers have called for talks to work out the future of the United Kingdom in the wake of a Scottish referendum which saw voters reject independence but win a raft of new powers.

David Cameron has promised a wide-ranging shake-up of the way the UK is run with more powers for Wales and Northern Ireland and greater influence over English laws for English MPs.

However, while he has pledged new powers promised at the tail end of the referendum campaign will be delivered for the Scottish by January 25 no timescale has been set for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones, who was highly critical of Mr Cameron’s handling of the referendum, said: "The old Union we know is dead.

"We need to forge a new one, but no more committees, no more messing about, no more panicky deals - it's time to sit together, all of us as four nations, and work this through.

"The UK has suffered a serious injury and a sticking plaster will not do."

London mayor Boris Johnson, who is hoping to return to Westminster in the General Election, said he did not agree the UK was dead saying: "I think the Union is well."

He has said English MPs do need more of a say but added that it needed to be sorted out in "a way that is fair".

Northern Ireland’s Peter Robinson said: "I think there is a recognition amongst the main political parties in the UK that the present arrangements that we have in the UK, I was almost going to say they’re not fit for purpose.

"But it's fairly clear that they do need to be changes in the way that takes into account the present day realities, the desire for greater self governance in various parts of the Kingdom and indeed a recognition that throws up anomalies particularly in how England itself is treated."

Both have said that Scotland should not be given greater powers than the rest of the UK. However, full details of the powers to be devolved have not yet been given.

They are expected to include control of housing benefits and a greater say in the setting of income tax.

Unless adequate proposals for England, Northern Ireland and Wales are put forward by the Government then it has been suggested the draft law on devolved powers for Scotland could hit some snags.

Leader of the House of Commons William Hague has been put in charge of drawing up the plans for England - including the question of English votes for English laws.

However, Ed Miliband has dismissed Mr Cameron's proposals and moved to suggest a new Constitutional Convention by the end of 2015.

Under Labour's plans each region would produce a series of recommendations which would be brought together in a constitution to be debated by Parliament.

Mr Miliband will be keen to avoid an "English votes for English laws" policy because it would mean he would effectively lose 40 Scottish MPs, who can currently vote on UK matters.

It would significantly weaken Labour in the House of Commons.