Scotland's opposition parties have joined forces to create a new commission on extending devolution that will rival the SNP's "national conversation" aimed at gaining support for independence.

Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander's proposal in the Scottish Parliament to look at the settlement was passed with backing from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

Almost a decade after the laws to create the Scottish Parliament were passed, the three parties agreed that the time is right to reignite the debate with an independently-chaired commission to "review" devolution.

The SNP dismissed the commission, with Roseanna Cunningham saying the plan offered "no ideas, no policies, no future".

Speaking in the debate, Alexander said: "I believe that Scots seek a future that gives them the chance to walk taller without having to walk out.

"And I say to the SNP, be very careful before you attempt to strangle at birth an initiative based on what the people of Scotland want."

Tory leader Annabel Goldie said: "The majority presence in this chamber comprising the Labour, Scottish Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties, supports our continuing partnership with the United Kingdom.

"The majority desire is to build on what we have and to take that forward."

Nicol Stephen, the Lib Dem leader, said that any increase in Holyrood powers must include tax raising controls.

"It will mean that a local income tax to replace the discredited council tax could be introduced straightforwardly - with all of the fairness and the benefits that can bring to the low paid and to pensioners," he said.

"And it can avoid the regressive side effects of the SNP's council tax freeze policy."