Brexit comes first, says deputy leader

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader has called for “inflammatory rhetoric” on independence to be ditched – just days after his boss put the constitution at the heart of a major speech.

Alex Rowley argued that the political focus in Scotland should be on how to make Brexit work for people north of the border, and park referendum rerun talk entirely until that is settled.

In her keynote speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool, Kezia Dugdale talked up her pro-union credentials.

Mr Rowley said he would obey her order to vote against any proposal for a second vote on Scotland leaving the UK but urged “all parties in Scotland” to focus on the impact of June’s vote to leave the EU, which his leader only mentioned in the context of independence.

He wrote: “In post-Brexit Scotland there is a real opportunity to set a new vision and new settlement more akin to home rule within the UK, more like a federal union that is part of a revisedUKconstitutional settlement whilst retaining the best aspects of a positive relationship with Europe.

“Yet to date, the SNP talk only of the benefits of being in Europe and the disadvantages of being in theUK whilst the Tories talk only of the benefits of being in the UK and disadvantages of being in Europe. So Scotland is in danger of being stuck for years trapped between these two polar opposites.

“Both are playing a dangerous game, and it is becoming abundantly clear that neither are the wiser as to what to do. The UK is a sovereign state in Brexit turmoil and in Scotland we must not allow a second referendum to continue to be the distraction that creates divisions and removes our focus from finding the best Brexit deal for our country.

“It is absolutely crucial that all parties in Scotland focus the debate on Brexit setting forth a case to protect working people’s employment rights, pay and pensions and the role of trade unions.”

Alex Neil, a former SNP Cabinet secretary, has said Nicola Sturgeon should abandon a second referendum, fight for Scotland’s interests in Brexit and win “neo- independence” by gaining major new powers.

Mr Rowley added: “The key point is that we must step back from divisive and inflammatory rhetoric and ensure Scotland is at the table leading the debate on what Brexit means for our country and for the UK.”

“Scotland is in danger of being trapped between these two polar opposites”