SCOTTISH Labour will oppose a second Scottish independence referendum for at least the next five years, according to the party’s new constitution spokesman.
Despite 14 consecutive polls showing support for independence ahead of support for the Union, and data showing Labour voters increasingly back Yes, the party is insistent it will continue to oppose a new vote until 2026 and possibly beyond.
Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar, who this week returned to Scottish Labour’s shadow cabinet as constitution spokesperson, says his party will go into the 2021 election “clearly” rejecting a referendum during the pandemic.
He said: “You’ve got to recognise that, ultimately, it’s for the people of Scotland to decide their own future. That’s a fundamental principle, a democratic principle, one that I support, and one that I hope every political party and every politician would support.”
READ MORE: Anas Sarwar rejoins Scottish Labour frontbench as constitution spokesman
He went on: “But at the same time as that, we’ve got to recognise that we are not going back to the old arguments of 2014. We are going through a pandemic that has changed the world, and has changed Scotland, and our focus for the next four or five years has to be coming through this pandemic, rebuilding our economy, getting people back into work, fixing our education system that has sadly broken under this Government, and rebuilding our national health service.
“That has got to be the priority for the next four or five years.”
Asked if Labour will oppose a new vote for the entirety of the next parliamentary term, he said “yes”.
Sarwar was a prominent member of the anti-independence Better Together alliance, and took over the constitution brief from Alex Rowley.
The MSP’s return was announced in a minor reshuffle which saw Rhoda Grant named as the new justice spokesperson, taking over from James Kelly who quit the position in protest over Richard Leonard’s leadership.
Elaine Smith will now be the party’s poverty spokesperson.
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