Rowley attends rally to unite the ‘pro-indy left’

Scots Labour deputy leader insists he is against another vote

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader attended a rally aimed at “bringing the pro-independence left together” without telling his party.

Alex Rowley told the Scottish Socialist Party event a breakaway from the UK would lead to more austerity, but later revealed he is willing to “enter into a discussion, dialogue and debate with others”.

In the wake of last year’s EU referendum, Mr Rowley said he would not oppose Indyref2 amid accusations his party was “flip-flopping” on the constitution.

Defending his appearance at the meeting, the Fife MSP said he made it “absolutely clear” he would campaign to stay in the UK “if there was another referendum tomorrow”.

“If you believe in your argument, if you believe you have the correct policies then you should not be frightened of going into forums and present those and have a discussion,” he added.

“I do not believe independence would deliver a fairer and more just Scotland, but I will enter into a discussion, dialogue and debate with others. That’s democracy, that politics.”

Mr Rowley said he saw no need to inform his party he would be attending. But he told the Glasgow audience that his own office initially said he should cancel because it was a pro-independence event.

Murdo Fraser, a Scottish Conservative MSP in Fife, said the fact Labour had a representative at a proindependence meeting is “typical of the party’s flimsy approach to the union”.

“It’s pretty telling that Rowley admitted the Labour Party is willing to enter into discussions about independence,” he added.

“In attending this event, the deputy leader has shown his true colours and should perhaps think twice before brushing aside advice from his own office in the future.”

A Scottish Labour spokesman said it is “stunning hypocrisy” from the Tories on the day their leader “struck a grubby deal with the DUP that risks weakening the bonds that unite the UK”.

“Murdo Fraser should be focused on getting extra cash for Scotland from his government, but Theresa May has no doubt already been told by Ruth Davidson she can just ignore him,” he said.

“While the Tories undermine the union at every turn, Labour will always oppose independence because of the turbo-charged austerity it would cause.”

Picture: SWNS. Alex Rowley says he does not believe independence would deliver a fairer and more just Scotland.