Presumptive prime minister Andy Burnham “must not repeat the mistakes of his predecessors” on Scottish independence, the SNP’s Westminster leader has said.
The former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to be named Labour leader at the end of next week, but has already told the party’s Scottish MPs he would continue the Westminster block on a second vote on separation, according to reports which surfaced at the weekend.
Under the Scotland Act – the legislation which formed the Scottish Parliament – the powers for a referendum must be secured by a Section 30 order allowed by the UK Government.
Speaking on Tuesday, SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan said: “Andy Burnham must not repeat the mistakes of his predecessors.
“He would be displaying the worst of Westminster arrogance by denying democracy in Scotland.
“The SNP is ready to work with Mr Burnham to devolve greater powers to the Scottish Parliament, including over Scotland’s energy and other key areas for our economy and communities.
“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.
“Scotland’s future must be in the hands of the people of Scotland – not decided in secret chats and backroom meetings at Westminster.”
Mr Doogan added that the three devolved administrations of the UK have pro-independence parties in leading roles, saying the UK Government “cannot continue to stick its head in the sand”.
“Rather than disrespecting Scottish democracy, he should be going out of his way to prove he is committed to it,” he said.
“If the Labour Party isn’t going to learn the lessons of its biggest ever defeat, then most of the Scottish Labour MPs that Andy Burnham was meeting will lose their seats at the next election.”
Scottish Labour and a representative of Andy Burnham have been contacted for comment.
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