Better Together influence in Scottish Labour stronger than ever

Read in browser | View all newsletters

By James Walker

Political Reporter

Get access to The National for just £10 for a whole year with our special 10-year anniversary offer.

SCOTTISH Labour have often been quick to attack pro-independence parties for apparently being too “obsessed” over the constitutional question.

But if Scottish Labour HQ and Westminster ranks are anything to go by – Better Together’s influence in the branch office is now stronger than ever.

Anas Sarwar’s chief of staff Kate Watson has been named as Scottish Labour’s new general secretary.

It’s an influential role for the former 2014 Better Together director of operations.

Afterall, the general secretary is in charge of the party’s administration and sits on the governing Scottish Executive Committee.

It adds to a growing influence in the party from senior members of the Unionist campaign.

There is Blair McDougall making a return as the Scottish Labour MP for Renfrewshire – the former Better Together chief strategist.

Then there’s new Scottish Labour MP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife Richard Baker, who sat on the original Better Together board – which Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie also later joined.

The list does indeed go on.

If you have anything you'd like to see from the newsletter, get in touch at james.walker@newsquest.co.uk

The Labour latest 👇

Speaking in the City of London, Reeves is expected to announce a package of reforms aimed at driving competition across financial services

Rachel Reeves pledges to 'rip up red tape' as 2008 crash regulations 'gone too far'

RACHEL Reeves will pledge to rip up financial red tape in a major speech, arguing that regulatory changes following the 2008 economic crash have “gone too far ...

Finance Secretary Shona Robison and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes pictured in conversation

SNP must copy fuel payment scheme in Northern Ireland, says union

SCOTLAND must replicate Northern Ireland’s bid to mitigate Labour’s cut to pensioner’s winter support payments, a union has demanded.

Protesters outside the proposed site for a new coal mine near Whitehaven, Cumbria

Coal power stations to be banned in UK in bid to tackle pollution

NEW coal mines are to be banned in the UK following the closure of the last British coal power station, the Government has announced.

Scottish Labour MP Torcuil Crichton gives the thumbs up at a photocall after the July General Election

SNP politicians hit back at Scottish Labour MP over 'Haggis run' comment

A SCOTTISH Labour MP has been accused of "basking in Scottish cringe" after branding ...

John Swinney attending the AgriScot event to hear from the agriculture sector

MSPs vote to reverse Labour Government's 'family farm tax'

MSPs have called on the UK Government to reverse the decision to impose a “so-called family farm tax” on agricultural businesses.

Keir Starmer recently replaced Sue Gray as his chief of staff

Wee Ginger Dug: Keir Starmer just can't help but find himself in more controversy

WELL that's gone terribly well, hasn't it? After Keir Starmer found himself mired in controversy over his penchant for taking free stuff, and amidst plummeting poll ratings following his decision to strip the winter fuel allowance from millions of pensioners, he got rid of his chief of staff Sue Gray. Because of course, Starmer's rapidly increasing unpopularity can't be his own fault, can it ...

View more newsletters from The National

You are receiving this email because you signed up to the Branch Office Updates newsletter from The National, or are receiving it as part of your registration or subscription.

Newsquest Media Group, 1st Floor, Chartist Tower, Upper Dock Street, Newport, Wales, NP20 1DW.
Registered no: 01676637 | VAT no: 667 8301 08. Registered in England & Wales.