LABOUR chiefs say a rebellion among its grassroots members in favour
of independence lacks “any real support” within party ranks.
A website has been launched called Labour for
Independence, which is urging Scottish party leader Johann Lamont to
allow members a vote on the constitutional question, with a view to
shifting the party’s stance in favour of leaving the UK in the 2014
referendum.
Senior Labour figures say the website, launched by
party member Allan Grogan, has attracted plentiful backing from SNP
supporters. But the party
insists that members are free to bring policy
suggestions before Labour conference.
A posting by Mr Grogan on
the website states: “I’m pleased that we have given the pro-indy Labour
voters a home to voice their opinions.
“In the last month, we
have gained 24,000 Facebook viewers, created our own website, which
after one week has more than 2,000 hits.”
He also urges pro-independence Labour supports to turn out at a major rally planned for 22 September.
“We
need to show the Labour Party, the rest of the political parties and
the media watching, that there is a genuine demand from Labour voters
for independence,” he adds.
“In the coming months, we will look to
appeal to Ms Lamont and the heads of the Scottish Labour Party for a
membership vote on Labour’s stance.”
Nationalists were quick to
seize on the move, with Christine McKelvie, who chairs Holyrood’s
external relations committee, urging the party
hierarchy to listen to
its grassroots. membership.
“People of all parties and none are warming to the idea of an independent Scotland,” Ms McKelvie said.
“It
is only fair and democratic that grassroots Labour members should be
given the opportunity to discuss the merits of voting Yes to an
independent Scotland in 2014.
“Johann Lamont and the Labour Party
in Scotland leadership’s sponsored silence on Trident, abandonment of
free higher education and anti-independence pact with Tories is leaving
them looking very lost indeed. It is little wonder the people of
Scotland are looking elsewhere for politicians to
reflect their views
and values.”
Former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling is the man
leading Better Together, the official campaign for Scotland to stay in
the United Kingdom. Ms
Lamont joined Tory leader Ruth Davidson and
Liberal Democrat chief Willie Rennie at the official launch earlier this
year.
Labour North East MSP Richard Baker, who is a member on the
Better Together board, yesterday played down the pro-independence move
within the party.
“Labour members have the right to bring policy
suggestions to conference where they can be debated,” he said. “However,
as we are focused on social justice in the widest sense, we believe
that we all achieve more together than apart.
“I also note that
the website has lots of support from SNP backers, but lacks any real
support from within our own ranks. Scottish Labour will fight to keep
Britain together, because we believe that we are stronger together.”
A
recent opinion poll on behalf of think-tank Reform Scotland, which is
behind the devo-plus campaign, found that almost three-quarters of
Labour voters wanted unionists to campaign for more powers for the
Scottish Parliament during the referendum campaign.
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