Scottish Labour should drop opposition to inevitable second independence referendum says former first minister
The former first minister Henry Mcleish has said Scottish Labour should back holding a second Scottish independence referendum due to the fact it “will happen some time”.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail, the former Scottish Labour leader said opposition to a second vote on the constitution has “never been a vote winner”.
He called on current leader, Anas Sarwar, to drop his opposition and make a positive case for constitutional reform.
Mr Mcleish said: “Merely saying no to a second independence referendum has never been a vote winner. It sounds negative, is interpreted as a denial of democracy and smacks of political panic.
“This has been a problem for Labour, especially in the absence of a well thought-out alternative.
“Now is the time for the party to be more self-confident. A new referendum could be some years away.
“Labour should drop its blanket opposition to another referendum. It will happen some time.
“The party must focus on other questions to be asked of the electorate and to ensure that other alternatives, not just independence, are part of any future debate and public vote.
“The real question is whether the Union, the Tory Government and the Westminster Parliament can produce the radical reforms needed to accommodate an ambitious nation like Scotland in a reasonable timescale.”
SNP depute leader, Keith Brown, said Mr Sarwar should listen to the former first minister and it was time for Scottish Labour to “finally accept” Scots have the right to determine their own future.
He said: “Anas Sarwar should listen to Henry Mcleish, and offer the Labour Party's support for a post-pandemic independence referendum - instead of backing Boris Johnson's doomed attempts to deny democracy.
"The Labour Party ruined its reputation in Scotland by siding with the Tories on austerity cuts, and in the Better Together campaign which Anas Sarwar ran for Labour, and now by backing Brexit.
“Instead of working handin-hand with Boris Johnson, yet again, they must finally accept people in Scotland have a right to determine their own future.”