THE entire UK Labour movement now understands the importance of Scotland, according to Ian Murray.
The newly appointed shadow Scottish secretary said discussion about Scotland within the party will increase following the election of Sir Keir Starmer as leader, adding Labour has to be clear about its position on independence.
The MP – the only Labour member to hold a seat in Scotland – said: “Keir has been pretty clear on all of this stuff, and to be fair so has (Scottish Labour leader) Richard (Leonard), that we’re against independence, we’re against a second independence referendum.
“I’ve been touring the whole of the country during the deputy leadership campaign making that case; that a Labour government runs through Scotland, that we have to be clear on our principles of why we’re against independence, that we shouldn’t facilitate the means if we disagree with the ends.
“In terms of a second independence referendum, that there is no mandate, trying to challenge some of that story that other people are telling and trying to manipulate the mandate issue.”
READ MORE: Ian Murray says Labour's position on independence 'has never been clearer'
He continued: “I know that Keir and Gordon Brown have spent a lot of time with each other trying to go through some of that constitutional stuff, there is no doubt that federalism and the constitutional convention which Gordon, myself and people like George Foulkes have been working on for many years now is now right at the top of Keir’s agenda.”
Murray held his current shadow cabinet position under Jeremy Corbyn, but quit in protest over his leadership. He was an outspoken critic of both Labour’s independence and Brexit positions under Corbyn.
After saying the new leadership could be a fresh start, Murray said: “It is still difficult to get the entire Labour movement focused on Scotland, but I think we’re a lot of the way down the road and I think the word Scotland will become a word that’s used much more by many more people across the Labour movement in the next five years.
“So I think that’s the step change as people have now absolutely grasped how important Scotland’s become for the UK Labour Party.”
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel