McDonnell: Labour wouldn’t stand in the way of indyref2
4 Nov 2018
The second most influential figure in the UK Labour party has admitted his party wouldn’t stand in the way of a second independence referendum.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told BBC’s Sunday Politics a Labour government would “consider whatever proposals come forward” in relation to a re-run of the 2014 vote.
It follows remarks by leader Jeremy Corbyn in September that he would hand the SNP power to hold its own referendum.
The comments appear to jar with the leader in Scotland, Richard Leonard, who has recently tried and failed to toughen the party’s line on separation.
Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman Adam Tomkins said:
“This is further evidence that Labour are comically weak when it comes to standing up to the SNP’s independence demands.
“It’s no wonder the party is tanking north of the border when its two most important figures couldn’t care less about Scotland.
“It’s clear a Labour government would lie down and allow Scotland to be ripped out of Britain.
“That’s a shameful failing on Labour’s part, and one which completely betrays the majority of voters in Scotland.
“This all goes to show, once again, that only the Scottish Conservatives can stand up to Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP.”