Labour hopeful: If Scots want indy poll, they’ll get it
Labour leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey said there should be a second Scottish independence referendum – if Holyrood requests it.
At a hustings held in Glasgow yesterday, the left-winger said Labour should not refuse another vote – but she cautioned against campaigning with the Conservatives again.
Ms Long-Bailey was the only one of the three remaining Labour leadership candidates to back a second referendum.
Sir Keir Starmer said Labour should not fall into the SNP’s “trap” by backing another referendum, while Lisa Nandy said her party must stand up for Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom.
Emily Thornberry was eliminated from the race late on Friday after she failed to secure enough nominations.
The three remaining candidates were asked by a party member in Glasgow if the Scottish Parliament should be given the powers to hold another referendum.
Ms Long-Bailey drew applause when she answered: “As a democrat, I have to say if the Scottish Parliament makes a request to the UK I don’t believe as a democratic party we can refuse that.
“But we can’t fall into the trap like we did last time where we joined forces with the Conservative Party in the Better Together campaign.”
Sir Keir said: “Whether the Scottish Parliament should have power over an independence referendum is an interesting question.
“But we shouldn’t get sucked straight into that because the SNP are constantly using the constitutional issue to mask the real issues and if we are getting into that we’re falling into their trap.”
Ms Nandy, MP for Wigan, said: “I believe in the UK and we have to stand up for Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom.”
A deputy leadership hustings followed, with candidates including Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray.
Members will begin voting on February 24.