Scottish Labour told to ‘get off the fence’ on second EU referendum
Scottish Labour must “get off the fence” over a second referendum on EU membership, one of the leading campaigners for a so-called People’s Vote will say in Edinburgh today.
Lord Adonis, the former education minister, will call on all Scottish MPS to back a public vote on the terms of the UK’S Brexit deal to honour the Remain vote across Scotland in 2016.
His comments come as rifts have emerged in the SNP over the party’s strengthening support for a second EU referendum, with one MP saying a People’s Vote “won’t happen”.
Addressing an event in Edinburgh, Lord Adonis will say: “Scotland’s MPS will be critical in the fight for a People’s Vote.
“Scotland voted overwhelmingly to Remain, so the Scottish Labour Party must get off the fence and back a People’s Vote.
“The vast majority of Labour Party supporters in Scotland want one, and they do not want their only pro-eu option to be the SNP.”
Lord Adonis will be joined by Edinburgh South MP Ian Murray, who will challenge Scottish Conservatives to “put the country before the Tory Party”.
“Tory leader Ruth Davidson backed Remain and it’s time she told her Scottish MPS to stop acting as Lobby fodder for the Brexiteers, and get behind a People’s Vote,” Mr Murray said.“she can’t claim to support the Union while putting it at risk with a hard Brexit. Her MPS have a key role when this comes to the Commons – it’s time to put the country before the Tory Party.”
Labour MEP Catherine Stihler will warn that “future generations will not forgive us if we go ahead with Brexit”.
The SNP’S Westminster leader Ian Blackford signalled this week that his party would step