McDonnell backtracks on IndyRef2
A SECOND Scottish independence referendum would “not be a priority” for a Labour government, John McDonnell has said.
The Shadow Chancellor rowed back on a commitment to IndyRef2 he made last mont h.
He also ruled out any deal with the SNP ahead of a general election.
McDonnell added: “We’re not doing any deals with anyone.
“And in the next election, I believe we’ll have a majority. But if we’re in a minority, we’ll be a minority government. We won’t do coalitions. “If we’re in a minority position, we’ll form a government and the other opposition parties can vote for the policies we’re advocating. And if they don’t, well we’ll go back to the people.”
Last month, McDonnell shocked Scottish Labour’s Richard Leonard by saying the party at Westminster would not block IndyRef2 if Scots were in favour.
But McDonnell refined his position yesterday on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show.
He added: “I have said I don’t think it’s up to the UK Parliament to block a referendum.
“I don’t think there should be another referendum. I think Scotland should stay united within the United Kingdom.
“It would not be a priority for us. We’ve got enough to deal with with climate change and austerity.
“(It) certainly wouldn’t be in the early years of a Labour government and there has to be a proper mandate in Scotland.
“The Scottish people themselves would have to decide.”
The Scottish Government is already passing laws at Holyrood to pave the way for a referendum next year.
Under section 30 of the Scotland Act, Holyrood could only hold another referendum if it is given the power to do so by the UK government.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will request Section 30 powers from Westminster this year to stage a vote.
In an article yesterday marking five years since the last referendum, Sturgeon wrote: “No Westminster government of any party has the right to stand in the way of the sovereign right of the people of Scotland to determine their own future.”
She added: “A win for the SNP in any upcoming election will simply reinforce that. The Westminster wall of opposition to IndyRef2 has already started to crumble in recent weeks and another election win for the SNP will wash it away.”