Leonard has to show leadership

GIVEN the glut of problems inflicting the Labour Party, it’s unlikely the Scottish dimension will take up too much of delegates’ time at this party conference.

Scottish Labour are still struggling to make a mark in a political firmament dominated by the twin pillars of Nicola Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson.

The party’s inability to capture the right tone in the new world of constitutional politics was neatly demonstrated by Richard Leonard’s announcement they will have a manifesto commitment at the next election to opposing IndyRef2.

His position is basically that Scotland should meekly accept whatever Brexit disaster the Tories impose upon us.

And if the majority of Scots decide that under those circumstances another independence referendum would be appropriate, that’s tough luck.

This is not good enough. At the very least, Leonard should be heaping pressure on the UK Labour leadership to back membership of the EU single market and consider the possibility of a People’s Vote in the event of Brexit disaster.

It seems strange a party who are today backing radical federalism would be so staunchly opposed to the prospect of a second independence referendum.

But a cursory examination of Leonard’s record since taking power last year shows a worrying lack of leadership. On anti-Semitism, he’s been silent. On Aberdeen councillors in an unauthorised power-sharing deal with the Tories, he’s been uncertain.

On Brexit, he’s been Jeremy Corbyn’s Leave lieutenant.

Leonard is a decent man who was a good trade union official. He could prove to be a visionary Scottish Labour leader.

But that will require a lot more than being willing to say poverty is a bad thing and Corbyn is a good thing.