DOUGLAS Ross wants to form a Unionist coalition with the new Scottish Labour leader.
Anas Sarwar and Monica Lennon, the two contenders in the race to succeed Richard Leonard, were approached on Twitter about forming a Better Together partnership.
The Scottish Tory leader has been branded "desperate" by the SNP.
READ MORE: Ruth Wishart: Is Douglas Ross on to something with attempt to get Better Together going again?
He wrote: “If it means stopping the SNP and their push for indyref2, I would be part of a unionist coalition.
“The last Scottish Labour leader wouldn’t work with us.
“Will you @AnasSarwar @MonicaLennon7?”
If it means stopping the SNP and their push for indyref2, I would be part of a unionist coalition.
— Douglas Ross MP (@Douglas4Moray) January 19, 2021
The last Scottish Labour leader wouldn’t work with us.
Will you @AnasSarwar @MonicaLennon7?
READ MORE: Anas Sarwar emerges as early frontrunner for next Scottish Labour leader
The response from the Labour MSPs was unequivocal.
Sarwar wrote: “No, I won't. A quarter of Scottish kids are growing up in poverty while you and the SNP divide our country.
“Instead I will focus on bringing people together and rebuilding our country - not a return to the divisive politics of old.”
No, I won't. A quarter of Scottish kids are growing up in poverty while you and the SNP divide our country.
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) January 19, 2021
Instead I will focus on bringing people together and rebuilding our country - not a return to the divisive politics of old. https://t.co/fiDEwmqZTu
Lennon replied: “That’s very flattering Douglas … but it’s a red card from me.
“See you on the campaign trail where we’ll be fighting for radical social and economic change, not a political agenda that looks after the wealthy few.”
That’s very flattering Douglas ☺️but it’s a red card from me.
— Monica Lennon (@MonicaLennon7) January 19, 2021
See you on the campaign trail where we’ll be fighting for radical social and economic change, not a political agenda that looks after the wealthy few. https://t.co/X0ppjBhGX8
Hitting back, Ross wrote: "It’s taken the Scottish Labour candidates less than half an hour to rule out working with unionists against the SNP. They’ll always put tribal loyalties before the future of the United Kingdom."
READ MORE: What Scottish Labour's leadership candidates have said about independence
Voting in the Scottish Labour leadership contest will open on February 9, and run until February 26, with the winner announced at a special online event on Saturday, February 27.
Online hustings are expected to take place before the ballot opens.
Sarwar, the early frontrunner in the race, has vowed to block indyref2 for at least five years.
Lennon has argued that the party should not block a second independence referendum, but push to have far greater devolution included on the ballot as a third option.
Commenting on Ross's request, SNP depute leader Keith Brown MSP said: “This is really desperate stuff from Douglas Ross as he tries to dust off the remnants of Better Together to form an anti-independence coalition in the Scottish Parliament.
“A majority of people in Scotland want an independence referendum in the next parliamentary term, so it is no wonder the Tories and Labour are fighting it out over an ever-dwindling number of votes.
“There are no depths the Tories won’t stoop to deny the people of Scotland their democratic right to choose a better future.”
He added: “Scottish Labour should think long and hard about whether they want to enter this toxic partnership as around one in 3 of their supporters are in favour of independence. Going into coalition with the Tories would sound the final death knell for Labour in Scotland.
“Ultimately, the decision on the future of Scotland will be in the hands of the people of Scotland, not the Tories or the Labour party.”
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