22 May 2017
SCOTTISH LABOUR MANIFESTO TO OPPOSE ANOTHER DIVISIVE REFERENDUM
Opposition to another divisive independence referendum will be at the heart of Scottish Labour's manifesto to be launched today.
Writing in the Scottish Labour manifesto, Kezia Dugdale and Jeremy Corbyn both condemn the SNP's focus on independence at the expense of the day job.
The manifesto states:
Labour opposes a second Scottish independence referendum. It is unwanted and unnecessary, and we will campaign tirelessly to ensure that Scotland remains part of the UK.
Independence would lead to turbo-charged austerity for Scottish families. Scotland would face a £15 billion deficit if the UK were to be torn apart, hurting the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.
The SNP needs to respect the verdict of the majority of Scots in 2014 and abandon its divisive plan to re-run the referendum. It needs to get on with the day job and reverse the cuts being inflicted on Scotland’s public services.
Scottish Labour will never support independence, because we believe that together we’re stronger.
Labour's UK manifesto also confirmed the party's strong opposition to both another divisive independence referendum and separation itself.
In her manifesto foreword, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale writes:
"Labour is the only party which knows it is the power of the whole UK working in partnership which benefits the many, not the few – that is at the root of our belief that together we’re stronger.
"That is why Labour opposes independence and a second divisive independence referendum. Independence is not the answer to dealing with Scotland’s flagging economy or our pressured public services.
"The SNP has one focus – independence. Labour will campaign tirelessly to ensure that the desire of the majority of Scots to remain part of the UK is respected."
In his manifesto foreword, UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn writes:
"In Scotland, child poverty is increasing, the number of those working but still classified as poor is at its highest level since devolution, and health inequalities stubbornly persist. Rather than tackle poverty, the SNP obsesses over another reckless referendum that threatens people’s futures.
"Labour is opposed to independence because it would inflict turbo-charged austerity on the Scottish people. We will stand firm in our opposition to a second referendum because we know that together we’re stronger and unity is still our strength.
"Historically, it has been the solidarity and common endeavour of our Labour and trade union movement that has transformed the lives of the many, not the few, in our great country.
"Just as it has always been the case, only our movement offers the hope and the contemporary solutions to society’s problems. Nationalism, in whatever form, does not."
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