SCOTTISH Labour’s deputy leader wants independence to be included in a new national conversation on Scotland’s future following the Brexit vote and said he would not oppose a second referendum.
Alex Rowley also said he would continue to support Jeremy Corbyn and revealed he had voted for him in the UK party leadership contest.
“The issue is now in the hands of our membership. I voted for Jeremy Corbyn and I will be voting for him again,” he told The National.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has raised the prospect of another vote on independence to protect Scotland’s place in the European Union after a majority of UK voters backed leaving, while Scots voted overwhelmingly to remain.
Rowley, who is at odds with his boss Kezia Dugdale over Corbyn continuing as leader, said he wanted to open up a national discussion about what would be the best way forward for Scotland.
“The First Minister has made clear that independence is on the table, and if you are going to have an open, informed and honest discussion about the options available, then that must include every option,” said the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP.
“It’s my intention to have dis- cussion forums across the area I represent but we need to have these discussions across Scotland.
“The Tories have got us into this mess and the implications of Brexit are massive.
"It’s about our children’s and our grandchildren’s future and we need to consider what is best for Scotland.”
Rowley also said: “I have lost count of the number of people who have asked whether I support a second referendum on independence. My response is that I would not oppose such a referendum.
“I accept the SNP were clear in their manifesto that the Scottish Parliament would have the right to hold another one if there was a ‘significant and material change’ in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014 – such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will.”
He added that it remained “an unknown quantity” what the UK will look like outside of the EU, meaning that another referendum would be “a very different proposition” from the 2014 vote.
Rowley said: “It is difficult to assess what will be in the best interests of the people of Scotland but we can set some guiding principles. These should include what is best in terms of our economy and jobs, pensions and dignity in retirement, free high quality education, health and public services and the security of our nation.”
SNP MSP Linda Fabiani said: “These are welcome comments from Scottish Labour’s deputy leader – making clear that the Scottish Parliament has the right to hold an independence referendum if it becomes clear this is the best or only way to protect Scotland’s place in Europe, and that he would not oppose such a referendum.
“Alex Rowley is also absolutely right to point out that any such referendum would be a completely different prospect from the 2014 referendum – the fact is that the UK which Scotland voted to stay part of two years ago simply doesn’t exist any more in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.”
Scottish Labour MP and the party’s Westminster spokesman Ian Murray will call on the UK Government today to fully involve the Scottish Government and other devolved nations in the Brexit negotiations.
“The Scottish people have given the UK and Scottish Governments two mandates that must be respected. They have voted in overwhelming numbers to maintain our relationship with both the UK and the EU,” he will tell a Commons debate.
“We have given Nicola Sturgeon our support to find a deal that meets the needs of the people of Scotland, and we welcomed Theresa May’s statement that she is seeking a cross-UK position on negotiations with the EU.
"It is essential that any negotiations fully involve not just the Scottish Government, but the Welsh and Northern Irish Governments and the London Assembly. “
On Sunday, Brexit Secretary David Davis said Scotland could not remain a member of both the UK and the EU.
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