The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Shadow chancellor says SNP are ‘Tories’
John McDonnell rules out coalition with nationalist party and claims they are ‘not progressive’
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has claimed the SNP are “Tories” as he ruled out forming a coalition with the party in the event of a hung parliament.
Mr McDonnell was roundly criticised by members of his own party after he said Labour would not rule out a second referendum on Scottish independence.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard held a hasty meeting with Mr McDonnell following his remarks, which go against the Scottish party’s policy on another independence vote.
Mr McDonnell doubled down by adding he would “not block” a second vote, but added it would be “irrelevant” if Labour won the next election.
Edinburgh South Labour MP Ian Murray accused the shadow chancellor of changing policy “on the hoof” and called on him to apologise.
A poll released this week by Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft showed a majority support for a second referendum on separation and a majority of those polled said they would vote in favour of Scottish independence.
Mr McDonnell distanced forming a coalition with the SNP, saying the nationalists were not “progressive”.
He said: “In my own view, I think they’re Tories. Our view is that another independence referendum is irrelevant, we’ve got to concentrate on the real issues facing people and yes, there will be a debate about the attitude of the UK Parliament and I’ve made my view clear on that.
“But I’ve also said continuously, I’m not being set up by Nicola Sturgeon to blame the UK Government for blocking the will of the Scottish people – that’s too trite a political manoeuvre that’s been taken on at the moment. My view is that we will not be blocking a proposal.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “I met with John on yesterday morning and I made clear to him that a second independence referendum is unwanted by the people of Scotland and it is unnecessary.
“There is no economic case for independence, especially with the SNP’s new position of ditching the pound and new policy of turbo-charged austerity to bear down on the deficit.
“On that John McDonnell and I are in firm agreement – what Scotland needs is radical-reforming Labour governments at Holyrood and Westminster.”
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said: “This is just yet more proof that Richard Leonard is woefully outof-touch with the people he claims to represent.
“John McDonnell’s comments were, as the first minister said, a statement of basic democracy. The future of the people of Scotland will be determined by the people of Scotland – not Richard Leonard, Boris Johnson, Ruth Davidson or any other who would seek to put Scotland back in its box.”
“
What Scotland needs is radical-reforming Labour. RICHARD LEONARD