Andy Burnham has warned First Minister John Swinney indyref2 is “off limits” for his Labour Government. The new Prime Minister flatly rejected a second independence referendum in a summit with the FM during his first trip to Scotland since taking the job.
The pair agreed to strengthen devolution and a joke was cracked about former Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar becoming a peer. Burnham was in Glasgow on Thursday to attend the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games just days after becoming PM.
Ahead of the sporting showpiece, he held talks with Swinney on a range of topics. The pair have known each other since Burnham was a Cabinet minister in Gordon Brown’s Government and they are said to have a positive relationship. The conversation covered the Games, deindustrialisation, job creation and devolution.
Disagreement on indyref2
But the leaders disagreed on indyref2, which Swinney has pushed for after the SNP’s Holyrood election win. However, a Downing Street spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister stated up front that another referendum on independence was off limits because it would take our focus away from growing the economy and helping families with the cost of living."
The official added: "The Prime Minister began by congratulating the First Minister and the city of Glasgow for hosting the Commonwealth Games, especially at short notice, and said he was looking forward to watching the opening ceremony."
"The conversation then turned to how the Prime Minister and First Minister can work more closely together to build a model of devolution to improve people's lives across Scotland."
"The Prime Minister reiterated his belief that deeper devolution could make a real difference in helping communities across the UK to re-industrialise - creating jobs, transforming high streets and reviving local economies - and welcomed the First Minister's willingness to engage with that process."
"More broadly, the Prime Minister said this was a moment for both sides to work together in a constructive relationship. He looked forward to regular engagement with the First Minister in the months ahead."
Swinney's response
Burnham did not do an event with the Scottish press, but Swinney made himself available for questions. He said he had a “very constructive discussion” with the Prime Minister but said of indyref2: “In relation to an independence reference, I made clear to the Prime Minister that I secured a mandate from the people of Scotland to hold a referendum on independence. That's what the people of Scotland want.”
He added: “I want to make sure it happens and that’s what I'm going to concentrate on making sure happens.”
Another part of the discussion centred around their agreement of more devolved powers for Scotland. Burnham backs the creation of mayors in Scotland while Swinney is opposed, leading to fears in the SNP that the Labour Government could trample over the devolution settlement.
Swinney said: “The Prime Minister gave me an important assurance, which I very much welcome, that the devolution of powers to Scotland, which he's interested in taking forward, would not be done over our heads. We would not be bypassed as a government.”
“The Prime Minister made clear to me that there'll be further dialogue that will be taken forward, which will enable us to discuss how best to devolve more powers into Scotland and for those that to be done in a fashion that is in consort with the Scottish government and not over our heads.”
Swinney also revealed there was a “light-hearted moment” about Sarwar quitting as leader to take up a job in the Burnham Government. Swinney said of his deputy Jenny Gilruth: “I think she was the initiator of some of the humour on that question.”
In a readout of the meeting, the Scottish Government said it was also agreed to have a “further conversation on constitutional matters”.
