27 May 2017
Gordon Brown must clarify whether Scottish Labour’s plan for a federal UK would require a referendum before it could be introduced, the Scottish Conservatives have said.
The former prime minister, who is expected to campaign in the General Election today (Sat, May 27) is a driving force behind Scottish Labour’s proposal to loosen the ties between the four nations of the UK.
The Scottish Conservatives are demanding more detail about the plan after Kezia Dugdale, said federalism could be put forward as an option on the ballot paper in a future referendum on independence.
Adam Tomkins MSP, Scottish Conservative constitution spokesman, said:
“To move to a federal UK would mark a historic and monumental constitutional change.
“As a leading proponent of the idea, Gordon Brown has to spell out how it would be achieved.
“Kezia Dugdale has raised the prospect of presenting it as an option in a second referendum on Scottish independence and, as we see Labour cosying up ever closer to the SNP, that is bound to set alarm bells ringing.
“Gordon Brown and Scottish Labour need to come clean about exactly what they are planning.”
- In a speech to the IPPR think tank last December, Kezia Dugdale said a constitutional convention, based on the long running convention which led to a referendum on the creation of a Scottish Parliament, should be set up to develop plans for a federal UK.
- In February she said there was a “legitimate case” for including a “federalist solution” on the ballot paper in a second independence referendum.
- Gordon Brown said in March the proposals would rest on “popular sovereignty,” suggesting a referendum might be required.
- Also in March, UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was “absolutely fine” with a second independence referendum. He has previously said he would be prepared to work with the SNP in a future Westminster government.
Scottish Labour have struck deals and entered alliances with the SNP in councils across Scotland since the local authority elections on May 4.
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