ACTIVISTS staged a “sit-out” in front of Scottish Labour MP Ian Murray’s office on Friday as they called on his party to commit to bolder climate commitments ahead of the next election.
A handful of protesters targeted the Edinburgh office Scotland’s only Labour MP – who is also the party’s shadow Scottish secretary – with calls for more rapid decarbonisation, a just transition and investment in green jobs.
The protesters had written to Murray’s office ahead of the demonstration, asking if the MP still supported a Green New Deal – they said they were not satisfied with his response.
READ MORE: Ian Murray says Labour won’t 'give' another independence referendum
From 11am, Green New Deal Rising demonstrators were outside the Minto Street premises holding placards and talking to Murray’s constituents.
The activists say they received “great support” from passing drivers and pedestrians.
“Clearly, there is an appetite in his constituency for Labour to be bolder on their climate policies,” said Calum Hogdson from the group.
“In a number of conversations, we were asked how people can get involved or whether we had a petition to sign”.
READ MORE: Ian Murray says James Cleverly spread 'fake news' about him
He went on: “We are protesting because as Scotland’s only Labour MP, we need to see Ian Murray do more for young people in Scotland. He has previously written in support of a Green New Deal, so if he’s serious about tackling the climate crisis we need him to stand up and speak out against the Labour leadership’s current backsliding. The sit-out was a brilliant celebration of young people’s commitment to climate justice”.
The group plans to target Murray’s office again next Friday.
The protest took place as part of a national demonstration by Green New Deal Rising, with similar events held at offices for shadow cabinet members in London, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Brighton, Cardiff and the Midlands.
Climate activists are frustrated by Labour’s U-turns on ending new fossil fuel exploration and delays on green investment.
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