Former Scottish Labour leader claims a new vote on independence could heal a ‘running sore’ in politics north of the border
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A report co-authored by Kezia Dugdale called for an agreement based on the UK’s position on Irish reunification, placing an obligation on the UK Government to allow a new independence vote if leaving the UK had “sustained” majority support.
by backupJM
19 comments
>“We should place a legal mandate on the Secretary of State for Scotland to determine when a second independence referendum will take place,” said Ms Dugdale, who led Labour north of the border between 2015 and 2017, but this year admitted voting SNP at the 2019 European elections.
>“That’s not on their whim or a party political position. If that public opinion is sustained and in support of independence, they must… give the Scottish Parliament the power to determine how that referendum would run.”
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>Speaking to the Holyrood Sources podcast, Ms Dugdale admitted many within Labour would “hate” her proposals but pleaded with both Unionists and nationalists not to “kill” her plan.
>“I know there are people in the SNP who will read this and come to the conclusion it is some sort of governor’s charter,” she said.
>“There’s some stuff in this that Labour will hate and they’ll hate me for advocating it. It’s a new conversation, asking people to start around shared values and common ground.”
Ms Dugdale displaying the political antenna she also used so well as labour leader.
It would be a good democratic option so chances are it won’t get used.
Comedy gold
Except the Nationalists will just want another one and then another. Only a Yes outcome is acceptable to them.
Kezia is the best Scotch Labour branch manager they’ve ever had, shouldn’t have got rid of her.
She’s not wrong, but he won’t because he’s a closet Tory.
Biggest Yes campaign victory of 2024
*Star of I’m a Celebrity, Kezia Dugdale
I’m not sure how Kezia Dugdale thinks this will make her more relevant in the Scotland of 2024.
I’m also not sure how relevant she ever was in the first place.
Largely ignored as Labour leader. By labour supporters as much as by supporters of other parties.
I’m not sure how loud her voice is in Scotland or how seriously she expects her ideas to be taken now.
I’d suggest this change of heart (like her change in voting in 2019) is influenced as much by her domestic arrangements (married to an SNP MSP) as it by genuine political convictions.
“Sustained majority support” is a very open-ended phrase when considering all the different mechanisms and arguments towards saying if the country wants one or not.
Of course some die hard Indy supporters would use any argument to further their cause (as they should) but to anyone who’s objectively forming an opinion why on earth would one side that’s just been elected for the next 5 years decide to do something they’re vehemently opposed to and they believe the majority of the people don’t want?
The fact the Indy argument has descended into “shitebag if you dont” sort of stuff is kinda tragic from where it was in 2013/14.
its John Swinney whose face is obscured by the telegraph’s icon in the picture.
This is the problem with Unionists. The Independence debate isn’t a “running sore” and by continuing to talk about it that way she insults every Independence supporter.
I understand that Unionists don’t like it being talked about, many are fearful of it and others loath the ground we walk on. Well tough, I’m not going away, I’m not giving up fighting for what I believe to be the best kind of country for my children.
This isn’t a debate about what’s the best soap opera, it’s literally about the environment we live in, our country and our lives. Instead of talking about running sores go away, have a wee think and then get back to us honestly and explain why being tethered to the kleptocratic, egomaniacle, ignorant charlatans in Westminster is good for us?
Keep your dirty talkin in the bedroom Kezzie
I’m much more interested in making sure people get to affirm the union regularly than in whether Scotland leaves it. I think we should do it either regularly alongside the election, or do like Northern Ireland does and have the option every seven years.
I think it’s a win-win. For the independence movement it’s a second chance to make the case to the voters, but for the unionists it’s something that massively takes the wind out of the independence movement’s sails for as long as the union is working for Scotland.
Imagine for a moment that the SNP wins out and we get a referendum in 2026. They get to point at 14 years of Tory austerity and at Brexit, and at a Labour party that doesn’t seem to be steering the ship any different. In 2014 the tides were against them and anyone with a cautious temprement would have voted “No”. In 2024 it’s becoming clear that the status quo for Brexit Britain is one of a steady decline and the SNP can make the case that the old status quo, the one of pre-2021, is one worth returning to. It could absolutely go “yes”.
But the beauty of having it be a regular thing is that the SNP can no longer say “this is your once chance!” – all of those undecided voters are no longer making a leap of faith in either direction, but rather a choice between a leap of faith in one direction and giving it a few years and seeing what happens in the other. I’d expect a huge swing towards “no” if the third referendum was already scheduled when the second one is held. If the SNP plan is a bit vague and unsubstantiated it’s an easy case that they should go work on it for another four years and come back with something more realistic. Vote no – you’ll always get another chance!
It’s not just a win-win for the parties, either, but for all of us. Both major Westminster parties want to preserve the union at all costs – now imagine if that had teeth. How willing would they be to cross Scotland if it meant being the party and PM that ended the union?
We should get regular votes. They’ll go “no” for decades, but an SNP one-off could easily go “yes”. Meanwhile, Westminster will want to keep that “no” contingent sweet the whole time.
Not a chance. They’re more likely to pass legislation to stop it ever happening again.
I would expect it to become illegal rather than them ever allowing it.
You guys are broke af though you need england for subsidies
I think that is a reasonable approach
The depressing truth, if a vote was held tomorrow it would fail.
If by some fluke it passed, welcome to austerity like you have never known for at least 5 years.
And I day that as someone with zero love for Westminster.
The SNP have **absolutely** ***fucked*** the independence cause with their incompetence and corruption. We need to wait for a full political generation before there is a chance again, SNP are getting *routed* next year.