RICHARD Leonard thinks his party’s “pro-choice strategy” on indyref2 is to blame for its disastrous election results.
The Scottish Labour leader nailed his Unionist colours to the mast when pressed on dismal performances at recent general and European elections.
High-profile Labour figures, including MSPs Neil Findlay and Monica Lennon, have backed Scotland’s right to hold a second referendum on independence.
But Leonard suggested such views were behind his party’s collapse at the polls and that Labour can only appeal to Unionists.
He told the New Statesman: “One of the reasons why we fared badly in those elections was because we didn’t have clarity on the constitutional position. That pro-choice position is what people’s interpretation [was] of what we were saying in that election.
“My view is: that didn’t work. People who want a second referendum or wanted an independent Scotland will vote SNP. They won’t vote Labour.”
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Leonard says those opinions are based on his party’s investigations of their dire ballot box performances. Yet recent polls suggest more than a third of Scottish Labour voters now back independence.
Green MSP Ross Greer branded the approach a “kamikaze unionism strategy”, tweeting: “Socialist? Pro-independence? In the words of their leader, Labour don’t even want your vote.”
Leonard also took aim at Nicola Sturgeon and suggested separating from Westminster would be pointless because Scotland could not establish fiscal autonomy.
The First Minister has “appropriated some of the language of socialism and cooperation to make an appeal to the people – but in the end, her political project is to sow division,” according to the Scottish Labour chief.
He added: “My argument has always been that it would be possible to set up an independent political state, but you wouldn’t get economic independence, and one without the other, I think, renders it quite a hollow concept.”
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The remarks were condemned as nonsensical by the SNP.
MSP Fulton MacGregor told The National: "Richard Leonard's position makes no sense. Labour are happy to point out the gaps in Holyrood’s powers when it comes to creating a fairer society, but then chooses to stand with Tories in opposing independence which would give Scotland these much-needed powers.
"For as long as they stick to that position, Labour are doomed to fail in Scotland."
Later in the interview, Leonard admitted he was angry with MSPs for launching a leadership challenge during the pandemic, and says he concluded there was no other outstanding candidate.
“I’ve reflected on criticisms that have been made, and I do that with a degree of humility,” he told the New Statesman. “But actually, coming out of that process, I feel a lot stronger. Some of it has spurred me on, some of it just strengthens my resolve, some of it forces me to look around to see if there is anybody who I think could do a better job – and I’ve come to the conclusion there isn’t.”
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