Labour candidates divided over a new independence vote
Sarwar opposed – but Lennon would let MSPs decide
SCOTTISH Labour is set for another divisive debate about its position on an independence referendum as its leadership contest formally begins.
Anas sarwar and monica Lennon have each secured enough support to be confirmed as leadership candidates ahead of nominations closing at noon today.
A majority of MSPs have already announced they are backing mr sarwar, who said Labour should oppose an independence referendum for the whole of the next term at Holyrood.
But miss Lennon, who has said the scottish parliament should decide if
‘Has the potential to be a big issue’
there is another referendum, was yesterday backed by four MSPs, which triggered a contest which will run until the end of next month.
mr sarwar, an MSP for Glasgow and Labour’s constitution spokesman, is strong favourite and has been endorsed by 12 of the 23 Labour MSPs, as well as shadow scottish secretary Ian murray and more than 70 councillors.
But miss Lennon, who is the party’s health spokesman and an MSP for Central scotland, will seek to appeal to party members and those on the Left of the party.
a Labour source said: ‘the stance on the Union has the potential to be a big issue. It could be a dividing line. the onus is on monica to spell out what she means: does she really think there should be an independence referendum any time soon?’
among the MSPs to back mr sarwar, who lost to richard Leonard in the 2017 contest, are former leader Iain Gray, transport spokesman Colin smyth, communities spokesman Pauline McNeill and former chief whip James Kelly.
The MSPs who have backed miss Lennon include former deputy leader alex rowley and former chief whip Neil Findlay, who have called for a different approach on an independence referendum.
mr sarwar’s campaign last night secured an early boost after he won the backing of the Usdaw trade union, which previously backed mr Leonard.
stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s divisional officer, said: ‘With the election coming in may, it is crucial scottish Labour has a leader who can hit the ground running and put a positive message to the country. We believe anas sarwar is the right person to do that.’
the two leadership candidates set out their positions on an independence referendum on BBC radio scotland’s Drivetime programme last night.
mr sarwar said: ‘I think the most mature leadership we can have right now is to say to people that we need a period of calm, we need a period of healing.’
miss Lennon said: ‘I don’t believe in scottish independence but I’m not in politics to tell people what they can’t have.’