A SENIOR Labour politician has backed the First Minister’s plan for the creation of a written constitution for Scotland in anticipation for independence.
The Labour peer and human rights lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy said “people should be going to work on creating a written constitution for an independent Scotland, definitely.
“I would do it now if I were in that camp”.
It comes after Humza Yousaf unveiled official plans for an independent Scotland to have a “permanent” constitution based on the values of the people.
He said that the constitution “would set out how democracy, rights and equality would be at the heart of everything we do as an independent nation”.
The Labour leadership in Scotland has now been challenged to support Baroness Kennedy’s comments and give their backing to the Scottish Government’s proposal that would see a health service free at the point of need, and workers’ rights to strike action, enshrined in law.
The SNP MSP Clare Adamson said it was “great” to see senior figures within the Labour party support the proposal.
“The UK’s constitutional arrangements are out of date and not fit for purpose,” she said.
“The lack of a written constitution has left the health service in Tory-run England open to privatisation while the Westminster government tears up workers’ rights.
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“In step with other modern democracies, Humza Yousaf has outlined that an independent Scotland should have a written constitution to enhance citizen’s rights. The move would take Scotland in line with all 27 EU member states.
“It’s great to see senior figures in the Labour party, like Baroness Kennedy – a prominent Human Rights lawyer – stepping across party lines to support these proposals.
“It will be great to see the Labour party follow Baroness Kennedy’s lead and lend their support to these plans which will put the values of the people at the heart of our society.”
Yousaf said he would also want a new constitution to rule out Scotland being a home for nuclear weapons.
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