IndyRef2 devo max debate will be critical in the contest

SCOTTISH Labour is not split on independence, but the party’s leadership contest shows there is a growing divide on how to respond to calls for IndyRef2.

Party moderates such as Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar, who is vying with Monica Lennon for the top job, typify the “just say no” approach.

His allies believe wobbling on a referendum is a sign of weakness and costs the party votes.

by firming up opposition to the SNP’s flagship policy, moderates believe they can win votes back from the Tories and seize second place after the Holyrood election.

Some of the people who back this position dislike the SNP more than the Tories. but a growing number of party figures on the left are sceptical of Sarwar’s Unionist position.

They believe it may get Labour through an awkward election but an SNP majority will blow it out of the water immediately – and will mean hiding behind Prime Minister boris Johnson when he refuses a Section 30 order on IndyRef2.

They also fear hardline opposition to a poll puts further distance between Scottish Labour and SNP supporters the party needs to win back.

The alternative, as outlined by

Lennon, is to back the principle of a referendum in the longer term but use political leverage to get a Labour proposition on the ballot.

Known as “devo max”, voters would be presented with the status quo, independence and enhanced devolution in a multi-option referendum.

The option would include powers on employment law and social security being transferred to Holyrood.

How this internal Scottish Labour debate is resolved could determine the country’s constitutional future.