LABOUR’S new shadow Scottish secretary has denied reports that he had been snubbed by Kezia Dugdale, the party’s Scottish leader.
Dave Anderson said he was in “constant dialogue” with the MSP and her office.
The MP for Blaydon in Tyne and Wear was speaking in Aberdeen, where he met offshore union representatives at the start of a two-day visit to Scotland.
Anderson said any split between the UK and Scottish Labour would be detrimental to the entire party and he called for a move beyond “individual personality conflicts” after the leadership race.
He took over the shadow cabinet role after Labour’s only Scottish MP Ian Murray quit in protest at Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership. Dugdale has also spoken out against Corbyn’s bid to stay on as leader. The bitter battle for control of the UK party has led some Scottish Labour figures to consider the idea of an independent party north of the Border.
Anderson said: “All of us, wherever we come from in the party, should get behind the person who is elected as leader and do everything we can to focus on the real split in this country, which is the split between those who have and those who haven’t. We should focus on that rather than our own individual personality conflicts and differences.”
On the possibility of a split between the UK and Scottish Labour, he said: “There is absolutely no evidence that is being suggested or mentioned by anyone that could happen.
“I would hope that whoever is the leader of our party that never happens. Any split of that kind will only be detrimental to all of us.”
He dismissed reports he had claimed Dugdale blanked him as “incorrect”. Dugdale is still thought to be on holiday, but Anderson said diary clashes meant a meeting was not possible on this visit. He plans to meet her “as soon as possible” and said he wanted to have “the best possible relationship”.
Anderson also sought to clarify comments on any future coalition deals with the SNP at Westminster.
“It is far too early to even contemplate that, but what I am not prepared to do on behalf of the Labour Party nationally is to rule that out completely,” he said.
“If that is the price that we have to pay to prevent another rabid right-wing Tory government then, I tell you what it is, we have got to at least think about it and discuss it.
“Three-and-a-half years before a possible General Election it is a conversation we don’t need to have.
“Obviously Scottish Labour would be the loudest voice in the room if and when we ever ... have to contemplate coalition.”
Anderson’s visit came amid a long-running dispute over pay for North Sea workers. Union members have already taken industrial action in protest at cuts in pay and allowances, and are due to stage another series of strikes starting next week if the deadlock with employer Wood Group cannot be broken.
Speaking at the union Unite’s offices, Anderson said: “I think the workers are quite legitimate in saying that when someone is trying to cut your income by 31 per cent, mess about with the quality of your life and possibly put your life at risk, I think strike action is the least thing people should be contemplating.”
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