Labour infighting over the Union

Labour’s election campaign is suffering due to “self inflicted” wounds, it has been claimed, as infighting swamped the party.

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson continued to attack Labour leader Kezia Dugdale’s position on independence.

She highlighted comments from former Scottish Labour MP Tom Harris, who told the Scottish Mail on Sunday the party’s Unionist message “looks like it is being watered down”.

Ms Dugdale was forced to clarify her stance after she said in an interview “it’s not inconceivable” that she could support a future Yes vote if the UK leaves the EU.

Senior figures within Scottish Labour were furious at their leader’s remarks.

One told The Courier: “The reason the Tories are where they are in the polls is we are unreliable on two fronts and both are self inflicted. One is tax and one is the Union.”

Another added: “Nobody knows what we stand for. That’s the problem.”

Labour has proposed to use the new powers coming to the Scottish Parliament to invest in education by raising income tax by 1p and introducing a 50p top rate of tax on those earning more than £150,000.

Ms Davidson said: “With less than five weeks to go until the election, Kezia Dugdale’s position on Scotland’s place in the UK has never been weaker.”

Ms Dugdale accused the SNP of “breathtaking hypocrisy” over cuts to council budgets.