McLeish It’s time to leave Jeremy behind
Henry McLeish has urged Scottish Labour to cut its ties with Corbyn and form an independent party.
The former First Minister said Corbyn failed to understand politics north of the border, and breaking away was Scottish Labour’s best hope.
McLeish added: “Jeremy Corbyn has not added anything to the Scottish debate.
“He’s failed to realise that if we’re sending only one MP to Westminster, we have a major problem.
“He has to realise that four nations make up the UK, not one.
“We’ve elected him twice but we got carried away with this membership issue. We have to get the public on our side.
“Theresa May is ruining Britain by moving out of Europe and pursuing some of the most right wing, anti-worker politics we’ve seen in years.
“The stage should be set for a Labour revival. But it’s not.”
McLeish said an independent Scottish Labour could take its own stance on issues such as campaigning against independence and getting the best Brexit deal possible.
He added: “Kezia has made a start in trying to push the party towards federalism.
“But she isn’t getting much support from Corbyn. He was quick to dismiss her appeal for a new Act of Union. I remain sceptical of his ability to listen seriously to what is happening in Scotland.
“Kezia committing the party to federalism provides the basis on which you can argue for an independent Scottish Labour Party.
“To confront the SNP, we need a bigger, bolder brand and we need to deliver for Scotland.
“The SNP look tired and jaded. They have big problems with the Budget and with health and education.
“This is the time for Scottish Labour to say, ‘We need to reassert ourselves and reconnect with the people of Scotland.’