KEZIA Dugdale’s call for a new Act of Union has seemingly been completely ignored by party bosses in London.

Though a draft version of Labour’s manifesto, leaked to press late Wednesday, committed the party to a constitutional convention, there was no mention of the Scottish party chief’s push for a “federal solution”.

Back in December, Dugdale had called for a “People’s Constitutional Convention to re-establish the UK for a new age”. This, she argued, would “produce a new Act of Union which would reaffirm the partnership between our nations and renew it for the future”.

“After more than 300 years, it is time for a new Act of Union to safeguard our family of nations for generations to come,” she added.

The draft manifesto only goes as far as saying that Labour will “establish a Constitutional Convention to take forward the debate about a new constitutional settlement for the entire UK, with England as much as a priority as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland”.

Eilidh Whiteford, the SNP Candidate for Banff and Buchan said it was proof that there was no real autonomy for the party north of the Border: “Scottish Labour’s futile attempts to shake off the ‘branch office status’ are fooling nobody with Corbyn not even pretending to be on the same page as Dugdale on a whole host of issues,” she said.

“It’s little wonder he has distanced himself from the ridiculous Act of Union ploy.”

Responding, a Scottish Labour spokesman said: “The Scottish Labour conference called for the UK Labour Party to convene a People’s Constitutional Convention, made up of citizens from across the United Kingdom.

“We believe that together we’re stronger. To restore faith in our politics, build a more united society and create an economy that works for working people, we believe that we need to create a more federal UK.

“Kezia Dugdale has called for a constitutional convention and a new Act of Union, and the UK Labour Party is committed to deliberating on these issues and exploring how politics can be made to work for everyone in Britain.”

Other specifically Scottish pledges in the draft manifesto include opposition to a second referendum on independence, and a proposal to to set up a Scottish National Bank “under Scottish control”.

There’s also a commitment to establishing an inquiry into blacklisting, and a promise to “urge the Government at Holyrood to hold an inquiry into the actions of Scottish police forces during the miners’ strikes”.

Dugdale told BBC Scotland that it was “very far from ideal” Labour’s manifesto had been leaked. She added: “There’s a lot of really good, solid ideas in there that all deserve to have their own ideas discussed in the pubs and town centres and streets of the country. It is a shame it has all been leaked in that sense.”

The National:

While the renationalisation of rail and energy companies would “come with a price tag”, Dugdale insisted this is what the people wanted.

“They want to see these services work in their interests – they are fed up of private profits being the number one priority of the Tory Government,” she said. “That is why this represents a radical transformational plan for our country, and it is one that every Labour candidate will be proud to stand behind.”

Dugdale is expected to launch the Scottish Labour manifesto in the next fortnight.

Taking to social media, former First Minister, Alex Salmond said a lot of what was in Corbyn’s leaked document was familiar.

“Have UK Labour become a ‘magpie party’, copying key SNP policies of ten years in Government?” he tweeted. “Notice how Labour’s various manifesto leaks and announcements suggest they have pinched many policies of the SNP’s in government.

“Free tuition fees brought in by the SNP in 2008, an end to hospital parking charges also in 2008. Honouring NHS pay reviews which is why Scottish Band 5 nurses get paid up to £300 more than in England.

“Abolishing the hated bedroom tax – carried through by the SNP in 2014. Renewable electricity generation to 60 per cent – Scotland already there and has hit 60 per cent of consumption this year and our world leading carbon reduction targets three years early.

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – what a pity Labour in Scotland didn’t support the SNP Government’s enlightened programme.”

Miles Briggs, the Scottish Tory candidate in Edinburgh South West, said: “Labour’s leaked manifesto claims the party is opposed to a second referendum – yet we know Jeremy Corbyn has said he is ‘absolutely fine’ with a referendum.

“Just as Labour can’t seem to publish a manifesto properly, nor can we trust a word they say on the Union.”

“The SNP’s obsession with independence is costing Scotland dear, as this week’s shameful statistics on the state of our education system shows.

“Years and years of Labour navel gazing over the constitution would be just as damaging”.