ANAS Sarwar has been told he must make it clear how Scotland can choose its own constitutional future following comments he made on BBC’s Debate Night.
In a letter from Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater, the Scottish Labour leader has been told that his party has “joined with the Tories in opposing all attempts for Scotland to hold a referendum”.
During the debate, Sarwar (below) said that “it’s for the Scottish people to decide what the future of our country is” although refused to be drawn on a question from Slater on whether Labour would allow another referendum.
(Image: PA)
Sarwar ignored the question and said the election was about “getting rid of this rotten Tory government”.
Following the programme, Slater said: “In last night’s debate, Anas Sarwar rightly said that it is for the people of Scotland to decide the future of our country, but words are not enough.
“The Labour Party have opposed all attempts for Scotland to hold a democratic referendum on our future in the aftermath of Brexit and has not said a word about how a UK Labour government would allow Scotland to make a choice.”
She added: “I believe that Scotland could do so much more with the powers of a normal independent country.
READ MORE: Scottish Labour’s over-confidence could end up costing them
“It would allow us to take urgent climate action that is necessary to protect our future, and to tackle the shame of child poverty.
“We may disagree about independence, Anas Sarwar and his Labour colleagues can oppose that all they want.
“It is a question of democracy. It is time for Scottish Labour to come clean, level with the Scottish people and explain how and when they will allow us to have our say on the future of our country.”
Elsewhere in the debate, Sarwar came in for criticism from an audience member who told the MSP “you’re acting as if you’re gonna be the saviour of the British public when you’re gonna be exactly like the Tories”.
READ LORNA SLATER’S FULL LETTER TO ANAS SARWAR
Dear Anas Sarwar
I enjoyed debating with you at the BBC leader’s debate last night. During the discussion on independence, you said “it is for the Scottish people to decide what the future of our country is.”
I agree with you, but you have not said anything about how people in Scotland can make their choice known.
READ MORE: ITV: Rishi Sunak panned for saying he 'went without' Sky TV as a child
In Scottish elections in 2016 and 2021 the people of Scotland have elected pro-independence majorities to Holyrood, from parties who were explicitly elected on the pledge of holding a referendum on Scottish independence.
We have done the same in general elections in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Yet the Labour Party has joined with the Tories in opposing all attempts for Scotland to hold a referendum in that time. I am sure you will agree that a lot has changed since 2014.
We have had 10 more years of Tory misrule that Scotland rejected, including a financial crisis that was created in Downing Street and led to skyrocketing inflation and interest rates.
We have had a Brexit that Scotland opposed, which has seen prices rising, put up barriers for small businesses all over our country and curbed all of our rights to live, study and travel across Europe. I know that you do not support independence, but this is about democracy.
If you believe in democracy and the right of the people of Scotland to decide our own future then you have to be clear about how Scotland can make that choice. What process would you recognise?
Under what circumstances would a future Labour government support Scotland’s right to hold a democratic referendum?
Many thanks,
Lorna Slater
Co-leader, Scottish Greens
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel