Starmer: Border won’t help the economy

Sir Keir Starmer has said Scotland is not “stuck” in the Union – but ruled out backing an independence referendum.

The Labour leader said he understood the desire for change among Scots, but said the ambition stemmed from the “chaos” of a Conservative government.

Asked if Scots should have the right to determine their own future, Sir Keir told BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show: “I’m talking about priorities... and for, I think, many, many people across Scotland... the central concern will be the economy.”

He added: “I fundamentally reject the argument that the way you grow the economy is to put a border between Scotland and England. I don’t think that will help the economy.”

The UK Supreme Court is currently determining whether Holyrood has the powers to hold a referendum.

Sir Keir said that even if the Supreme Court does rule in the Scottish Government’s favour, it does not mean the country “should” have a referendum.

“All the court is going to be able to rule, if it does rule in favour, is that there could be or can be – it is legally permissible – to have a referendum,” he said.

“That doesn’t answer the political question of ‘Should there be a referendum?’ ”

Sir Keir Starmer.