Rayner in Indyref warning

ANGELA Rayner yesterday warned against going ‘anywhere near’ another Scottish independence referendum.

Labour’s deputy leader told a crowd in Edinburgh that her party would not work with the SNP after the next election.

The Scottish Government is currently locked in a legal battle over whether or not it can legislate for another vote.

Speaking during a show at the Festival Fringe with broadcaster Iain Dale, Miss Rayner said: ‘It’s not a possibility that we would work with the SNP – we want to win a majority.’

She added: ‘I don’t think the people of Scotland should leave behind the people of Ashton-under-Lyne, either.

‘The poverty that we face is the poverty they face and we both need a Labour government in order to make the changes that we need to make, whether that’s in Scotland or in England.’

Miss Rayner also insisted her party was ‘making progress’ in Scotland.

‘Respect is earned, it’s not given and I think we’ve been making progress to earn that respect,’ she said.

‘But I think breaking up the Union is not the answer. Leaving us to perpetual

Conservatism at Westminster is not very nice... but actually having a Labour government could make all the difference.’

Miss Rayner went on to say that the Labour Party was ‘behind’ on devolution.

She continued: ‘I’m against us going anywhere near a second referendum, if I’m honest. I think the Brexit referendum was enough for me.’

When asked if her position showed ‘disrespect’ to the people who voted for the SNP or Scottish Greens in last year’s Holyrood elections, Miss Rayner denied that.

‘I wouldn’t say it’s me showing disrespect, I’d say it was me being honest as a politician with people,’ she said.