Labour back referendum - just not in Scotland

Home » referendum; Independence
2010-02-02

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced Labour proposals to codify the UK constitution, establish a democratically elected House of Lords after a 12 year delay and hold a referendum on voting systems. This comes as the Labour Party in Wales confirmed they will back Plaid Cymru in Wales and support a referendum on powers for the Welsh Assembly.

SNP Constitutional Affairs Spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP said that the move made Iain Gray and Labour in Scotland look "totally ridiculous" as they continue to refuse to back a referendum on Scotland’s future.

Mr Wishart said:

"After 12 years of promises, today's announcement is just another empty gesture from Labour and leaves Labour in Scotland firmly on the back foot. Iain Gray looks totally ridiculous in opposing a referendum on Scotland’s future, while his boss in London wants a referendum on the alternative voting system. "The people of Scotland have as much right to a say on the constitutional future of their country as people in Wales – or those Labour want to consult on a pretty meaningless form of electoral reform across the UK.

"Labour's anti-democratic arguments against a referendum in Scotland hold absolutely no water while Gordon Brown is proposing to put voting reform before the people. Iain Gray is increasingly isolated in opposing the voice of the people – and even his own MSPs are planning to jump ship to Westminster.

"It smacks of desperation to attempt an overhaul of voting arrangements weeks before a General Election. The very fact that Lords Reform is back on the table underlines how badly Labour have failed over the past decade and more. A democratically elected upper chamber was a pledge in 1997, and they still haven’t delivered. Gordon Brown is out of time and out of ideas."