Labour will block an independence referendum even if the SNP wins more than 50 per cent of the popular vote at the next general election, Sir Keir Starmer has pledged.
Nicola Sturgeon has said that she would take such a result as a de facto vote to begin negotiations for Scotland to leave the UK.
However, the Labour leader yesterday accused her of whipping up “faux patriotism” to further her party’s ambitions as he insisted he would not entertain any talks — or a referendum — if he were to be leading a minority government in Westminster. “It doesn’t change the principal position,” he said when asked about what it would mean for Scotland’s constitutional future if the SNP won more than half of the popular vote. “We go into that election making a case for change.
“We go into that election making the case for a Labour government for the whole United Kingdom. And in the local elections I came to Scotland and the thing that came up everywhere I went was the cost of living.”
Starmer said there was “no alliance to be forged with a party that wants to break up” the UK, as critics continue to suggest that he will strike a deal to enter No 10 if he fails to secure a majority.
“This faux patriotism that everything can be solved by putting a border between Scotland and England is completely wrong,” Starmer added.
“I mean 700,000 people on the NHS waiting list in Scotland, putting a border is the answer to that? 10,000 children and young people waiting for a mental health assessment, the answer is putting a border in?”
Good stuff.
Conservatives self-imploding. All Starmer has to do is stay quiet (on anything but this implosion) for a few days. Can he manage it? Apparently not.
Well he won’t get to make that choice if the only option to form a socialist government is a coalition. Nicola knows this will be the main issue north of the border at the next GE when her current referendum attempt is struck down (legally.)
Keir’s pandering to wavering Tory voters is sickening
“If Labour win election”, ahahaha!!! that’s actually the funniest thing I’ve read today, actually this week maybe. He should have been a comedian like that Ukrainian guy. Jesus Kier, please give up your day job and go into comedy, you already look a bit like that Last Leg fella, just do it.
What option is left, if independence support get a majority and no referendum is allowed.
Scotland won’t be a partner in the Union, it’ll be a prisinor.
Shut up Starmer. Literally all you have to do this week is stop talking and say the usual sound bites – this should be the easiest week for him possible.
Kier is a fucking wolve In sheep’s clothing.
Sad that he is the labour option
Kier Starmer stay quiet whilst Tory party implode challenge (impossible).
I really hope he isn’t running our country one day
Good. The last thing we need is the mutinous SNP causing more trouble for the country.
Between promising not to reverse Brexit and not to allow another Independence vote he should sweep a ton of soft-tory voters. Hopefully a new GE will follow soon while the tories are in maximum disarray!
So how exactly are you going to make Scotland proud?
The anti starmer sentiment clearly turns some of you into dribblers
Why do people support Scottish independence? Left wing people really back the SNP, imagine backing the BNP lmao… so.e people just hate Britain
Beginning to think Keir Starmer is a plant because every time he starts doing well he or his higher up party members go seeking a headline for saying/doing something controversial.
It is absolutely difficult for SNP to get what they want (SNP will fail to get a second independence and even a third if they’re even lucky). I’m no fan of SNP,Tories or lib Dems and certain factions within the labour party too, because they make things too complicated generally.
Bullshit, as soon as the SNP offer him a coalition government in return for a vote he will agree instantly.
At last they’re talking some sense
As much as I feel for the Scottish homies, this politically is the right decision for Labour. Any risk to the union will be very unpopular as a policy.
22 comments
Labour will block an independence referendum even if the SNP wins more than 50 per cent of the popular vote at the next general election, Sir Keir Starmer has pledged.
Nicola Sturgeon has said that she would take such a result as a de facto vote to begin negotiations for Scotland to leave the UK.
However, the Labour leader yesterday accused her of whipping up “faux patriotism” to further her party’s ambitions as he insisted he would not entertain any talks — or a referendum — if he were to be leading a minority government in Westminster. “It doesn’t change the principal position,” he said when asked about what it would mean for Scotland’s constitutional future if the SNP won more than half of the popular vote. “We go into that election making a case for change.
“We go into that election making the case for a Labour government for the whole United Kingdom. And in the local elections I came to Scotland and the thing that came up everywhere I went was the cost of living.”
Starmer said there was “no alliance to be forged with a party that wants to break up” the UK, as critics continue to suggest that he will strike a deal to enter No 10 if he fails to secure a majority.
“This faux patriotism that everything can be solved by putting a border between Scotland and England is completely wrong,” Starmer added.
“I mean 700,000 people on the NHS waiting list in Scotland, putting a border is the answer to that? 10,000 children and young people waiting for a mental health assessment, the answer is putting a border in?”
Good stuff.
Conservatives self-imploding. All Starmer has to do is stay quiet (on anything but this implosion) for a few days. Can he manage it? Apparently not.
Well he won’t get to make that choice if the only option to form a socialist government is a coalition. Nicola knows this will be the main issue north of the border at the next GE when her current referendum attempt is struck down (legally.)
Keir’s pandering to wavering Tory voters is sickening
“If Labour win election”, ahahaha!!! that’s actually the funniest thing I’ve read today, actually this week maybe. He should have been a comedian like that Ukrainian guy. Jesus Kier, please give up your day job and go into comedy, you already look a bit like that Last Leg fella, just do it.
What option is left, if independence support get a majority and no referendum is allowed.
Scotland won’t be a partner in the Union, it’ll be a prisinor.
Shut up Starmer. Literally all you have to do this week is stop talking and say the usual sound bites – this should be the easiest week for him possible.
Kier is a fucking wolve In sheep’s clothing.
Sad that he is the labour option
Kier Starmer stay quiet whilst Tory party implode challenge (impossible).
I really hope he isn’t running our country one day
Good. The last thing we need is the mutinous SNP causing more trouble for the country.
Between promising not to reverse Brexit and not to allow another Independence vote he should sweep a ton of soft-tory voters. Hopefully a new GE will follow soon while the tories are in maximum disarray!
So how exactly are you going to make Scotland proud?
The anti starmer sentiment clearly turns some of you into dribblers
Why do people support Scottish independence? Left wing people really back the SNP, imagine backing the BNP lmao… so.e people just hate Britain
Beginning to think Keir Starmer is a plant because every time he starts doing well he or his higher up party members go seeking a headline for saying/doing something controversial.
It is absolutely difficult for SNP to get what they want (SNP will fail to get a second independence and even a third if they’re even lucky). I’m no fan of SNP,Tories or lib Dems and certain factions within the labour party too, because they make things too complicated generally.
Bullshit, as soon as the SNP offer him a coalition government in return for a vote he will agree instantly.
At last they’re talking some sense
As much as I feel for the Scottish homies, this politically is the right decision for Labour. Any risk to the union will be very unpopular as a policy.
He is just a Tory in labour clothing.