SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan has criticised Andy Burnham, the likely next prime minister, for offering 'nothing of substance for Scotland' in his first major speech since launching his leadership bid. Speaking after Burnham's address in Manchester, Doogan claimed the former Greater Manchester mayor was 'making the same empty promises' to Scotland 'while keeping all of Westminster’s most damaging policies – Brexit, austerity cuts and Tory spending rules'.
Burnham's Vision Lacks Detail on Scottish Devolution
In his speech, Burnham pledged to create a 'Number 10 North' outpost in Manchester to drive his plans to rewire the British state, promising 'new opportunities to extend devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland'. However, he failed to provide specific details on what these changes would entail. Doogan responded: 'The SNP has been calling for meaningful devolution for years but there is nothing of substance for Scotland in these proposals – and nothing that will fundamentally improve people’s lives.'
SNP Accuses Burnham of England-Centric Plans
Doogan accused Burnham of setting out 'top-down, England-centric plans without even involving the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the conversation'. He added: 'He seems to think Manchester is the north of the UK, when it’s barely the north of England.' The SNP MP insisted that if Burnham were serious about devolution, he should start by devolving energy powers that the Scottish Parliament has already voted for, rather than keeping control at Westminster.
Scottish Greens and Conservatives React
Scottish Greens local government spokesperson Kristopher Leask said Burnham's speech was 'big on rhetoric but short on policy, leaving people in Scotland with more questions than answers'. Leask argued there was a 'clear case' for decisions on energy, employment and workers' rights to be taken in Scotland, but Burnham had 'offered no meaningful detail'. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said Burnham 'needs to flesh out what new powers he’s actually talking about', but expressed alarm at the SNP government being handed more control given their 'astonishing record of failure'.
Independence Referendum Question Looms
Leask also highlighted that a key test for Burnham would be his response to the pro-independence Scottish Parliament's call for the power to hold a referendum. 'If Labour wants to distribute power but refuses to trust the people of Scotland with a choice over its future, then its commitment to devolution rings hollow,' he said. Findlay added that weak Labour politicians 'seem incapable of understanding that they’ll never pacify the SNP by constantly extending devolution', noting that SNP leader John Swinney's only interest is 'his lifelong obsession of taking Scotland out of the United Kingdom'.
