Presumptive prime minister Andy Burnham “must not repeat the mistakes of his predecessors” on Scottish independence, the SNP’s Westminster leader has said. Dave Doogan spoke on Tuesday after reports emerged that Burnham, expected to be named Labour leader next week, has already told Scottish Labour MPs he would continue blocking a second independence referendum.
Burnham’s Position on Referendum
Under the Scotland Act, a Section 30 order from the UK Government is required to legally hold a referendum. Reports over the weekend indicated Burnham has shut down the possibility of such an order. The former Greater Manchester mayor is set to become Labour leader, but Doogan urged him to change course.
“Andy Burnham must not repeat the mistakes of his predecessors,” Doogan said. “He would be displaying the worst of Westminster arrogance by denying democracy in Scotland.”
SNP’s Call for Devolution
Doogan emphasised the SNP’s willingness to cooperate on devolving powers, including over energy and other key economic areas. “That has to include transferring powers to hold an independence referendum – so the people of Scotland can control our democratic right to determine our own future,” he added.
He argued that the three devolved administrations in the UK have pro-independence parties in leading roles, and the UK Government “cannot continue to stick its head in the sand.” Doogan warned that if Labour does not learn from its biggest electoral defeat, “most of the Scottish Labour MPs that Andy Burnham was meeting will lose their seats at the next election.”
Impact and Response
Scottish Labour and a representative of Andy Burnham have been contacted for comment. The SNP’s stance highlights ongoing tensions over Scotland’s constitutional future, with the party insisting that “Scotland’s future must be in the hands of the people of Scotland – not decided in secret chats and backroom meetings at Westminster.”
