LEONARD ACCUSED OF BREXIT STITCH-UP
Scottish Labour row as leader toes the UK party line on Brexit and denies a vote to members who want to stay in single market
RICHARD Leonard was accused of a “classic stitch-up” yesterday after he blocked a bid to shift party policy to back permanent membership of the EU single market.
Instead the Scottish Labour leader was successful in getting delegates at the party conference in Dundee to back a “unity statement” put forward by the governing Scottish Executive Committee.
The move means official policy north of the Border is in tune with Jeremy Corbyn’s at a UK level.
Splits over Brexit overshadowed much of the three-day conference, with pro-EU members angry the issue was not put to a vote.
Corbyn’s position rules out a relationship like one between Norway and the EU, favoured by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon as a way of holding off the worst of a “hard Brexit” with no deal.
Norway is in the European Economic Area, which means it gets access to the single market but must accept EU rules.
A senior pro-EU Labour source said: “A classic conference stitch-up from the establishment. The sad thing is that young members in particular, whose future is at stake, were denied their vote.”
The SEC statement outlined UK Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer’s six tests for the Brexit deal, but made no mention of single market membership.
The issue was debated after several constituency branches put forward motions in favour of keeping the UK in the single market after it leaves the European Union.
While a motion stating “Scottish Labour support the UK remaining permanently in the European single market and customs unions” was put forward, this was not voted on after the SEC statement was backed.
Scottish Labour chairwoman Linda Stewart said there was a “clear majority in favour”. She added: “I’m very pleased we can move forward with a clear position on Brexit.”
The debate came after more than 40 senior Scottish Labour members signed an open letter backing permanent membership of the single market.
While Corbyn ruled this out, ex-Scottish leader Kezia Dugdale, MP Ian Murray and MEP Catherine Stihler called for a policy shift.
Speaking in the debate, Stihler said: “Brexit is the defining issue of our time. Leaving the EU will cost us jobs, reduce our global influence and even poses to threaten the integrity of the UK.”
She insisted there “is no good Brexit”, adding that it would not be possible for the UK to “cherry pick our way to a post-EU future with the same benefits we currently enjoy”.
Stihler said: “We as a Labour Party have to keep all options open.”
But Rhea Wolfson – a Corbyn supporter from the party’s Almond Valley branch – called on members to rally round the SEC statement.
She added: “Our priorities must be realistic and based on protecting people.
“We all stand to lose if Labour are sucked into posturing and division.”
Scottish Labour’s Brexit spokesman Neil Findlay said: “Being outside the EU and inside the single market means you are a rule taker but not a rule maker, and that is not in our national interests.”
Leaving the EU will cost us jobs and reduce our global influence
MEP STIHLER