DOUGLAS Alexander has suggested Labour would allow a second Scottish independence referendum, stating that the UK Government would “take seriously” any SNP majority come next year’s Holyrood election.
At the Scotland Questions on Wednesday, Alexander was pressed by SNP MP Stephen Gethins, who brought up Keir Starmer’s statement where he said that “if there’s an SNP majority, it’s got to be looked at in Westminster” in relation to a future Scottish independence referendum.
It comes after SNP members backed John Swinney's plan to declare a mandate for a second independence referendum if the party wins a majority of seats in next year's Holyrood election, last weekend at their party conference.
The Secretary of State for Scotland said a Labour Government would “take seriously any SNP majority,” adding that he “always agrees with his boss” when pushed further by Gethins on Starmer’s statement.
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Speaking after Scotland Questions, Gethins said if the SNP win a majority next year, the people of Scotland should have a choice over whether the country should have a “fresh start” with independence.
“Keir Starmer is on record agreeing with that and today Douglas Alexander confirmed it,” Gethins said.
He added: “While it is welcome that Douglas Alexander indicated the UK Government would take an SNP majority seriously when it comes to a Scottish independence referendum, the fact is every time Douglas Alexander or one of his Labour Party cronies stands up in Westminster and tries to dictate to the Scottish people about what’s good for them it’s just another reminder about how far removed Westminster is.
“The precedent is clear, when the SNP win a majority, we deliver a referendum on independence and next year we intend to do just that and offer the people of Scotland a fresh start with independence.”
On Monday, the Prime Minister said Swinney was “insulting the intelligence” of the Scottish people with his independence plan as he questioned why, after 18 years in power, the First Minister is not seeking to focus on his party’s record in Government ahead of next year’s election.
Swinney said earlier this month that if he were to win the majority he seeks at the Holyrood election in May, the Prime Minister would likely resign.
Asked about the comments as he spoke to Scottish journalists in Downing Street on Monday, Starmer said: “He’s insulting the intelligence of the Scottish people.
“After 18 years in government, he really needs to explain to you why he’s not running on his record.”
SNP depute leader Keith Brown hit back at Starmer’s comments as he criticised the Prime Minister's own record in government, saying he simply “cannot get anything right”.
“Keir Starmer’s reverse Midas touch even extends to his own political attacks, he points to waiting lists and police numbers, when waiting lists are falling in Scotland and rising in England, and Scotland has more police officers per head than Labour-run England and Wales,” he said.
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