The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Corbyn offers Yes voters ‘real hope’, says Rowley
Acting Scottish leader calls on Corbyn to back federalism
Jeremy Corbyn is eliminating the threat of independence by offering Yes voters “real hope”, says Alex Rowley.
Scottish Labour’s acting leader used his Brighton speech to call on Mr Corbyn to commit to federalism, which is seen as a compromise between the status quo and independence.
The Fife MSP told activists Mr Corbyn offered a way out to those who voted Yes in 2014 without having to resort to a breakaway.
Mr Rowley said: “With the Tories and the SNP, we have two governments with no interest in reforming how the UK works and making it work better. That it is why it must fall to the Labour party.
“And why I renew my call for a constitutional convention, convened by the Labour party, to determine how our country can be renewed for the future.
“For many who voted yes in Scotland, Jeremy has provided them with real hope of an alternative. He has shown that change is possible inside the UK.”
Mr Rowley, a Corbyn ally, added: “That should now be matched by a commitment from Labour for a constitutional convention and a federal solution for the UK, with Scotland as a full and equal partner.”
Labour rekindled its federal solution to the Scottish constitutional question at the end of last year, saying it would put the UK’s parliaments and assemblies on a more equal footing.
A federal system is likely to require English support for more regional autonomy, although Labour strategists have not expanded on how that would work.
James Dornan, Glasgow Cathcart SNP MSP, said: “The SNP is the only party with a bold ambition for Scotland – a commitment to invest in our public services, a serious plan to tackle poverty and inequality and a vision to grow our economy for the benefit of everyone who lives here.
“The only aspiration Scottish Labour have right now is to find a leader who won’t leave them in the lurch.”
Maurice Golden, for the Scottish Conservatives, said Labour had proved “time and again they cannot be trusted on the union”.
“There would be a number of negative ramifications caused by Jeremy Corbyn becoming prime minister,” he added.
“For the people of Scotland, the most telling would be a British Prime Minister who didn’t care whether Scotland was part of the UK or not.”