SNP challenge Labour on referendum policy

SNP Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has today challenged Labour’s leadership contenders to continue with Wendy Alexander’s support for a referendum on independence.

Within a day of Wendy Alexander’s resignation Scottish Labour are already at odds over the policy with Labour's acting leader Cathy Jamieson suggesting it will be worked out through the leadership contest. Possible contender Andy Kerr is reported to favour an early referendum with Iain Gray thought to oppose the policy.

Immediately after a Labour parliamentary group meeting endorsed support for a referendum on independence, Labour Group Chairman Duncan McNeil claimed in May that "No one in the room had any complaints about the decision that has been taken and we are now in a position where, as a group, we will not vote down any Referendum Bill that comes into the Parliament. That's the change in the Labour group's position today."

SNP Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said

"If Labour take only one thing from Wendy Alexander’s leadership they must continue to support a referendum on Independence.

"The Labour group claimed they were united behind Wendy Alexander in support of an early referendum on Scottish Independence and that no one had any complaints about the decision, yet Cathy Jamieson has suggested this will now be worked out through the leadership contest.

"Where does Labour stand on an Independence referendum?

"Within a day of Wendy Alexander’s resignation it seems the potential contenders are distancing themselves from Wendy’s big idea.

"Iain Gray publicly defended Wendy Alexander’s policy, is he now walking away from it?

"What about the future of the Calman Commission?

"There can be no denying that Wendy Alexander’s numerous u-turns were part of the Labour party’s problem with her leadership – is the Labour party about to do another u-turn.

"Labour must show some consistency and each candidate must confirm that they will allow the people of Scotland their right to a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future when the Scottish Government brings forward the bill for a referendum in 2010."