Henry McLeish warning over Labour independence ‘free vote’

FORMER First Minister Henry McLeish has said it would be “remarkable” if Labour’s MSPs and MPs were allowed to have a “flexible” position on independence.
Henry McLeish said it would be remarkable if Labour MSPs and MPs were allowed to have a flexible position on independence. Picture: TSPLHenry McLeish said it would be remarkable if Labour MSPs and MPs were allowed to have a flexible position on independence. Picture: TSPL
Henry McLeish said it would be remarkable if Labour MSPs and MPs were allowed to have a flexible position on independence. Picture: TSPL

His remarks came after Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said she would not stop Labour MPs and MSPs campaigning for a “Yes” vote in the future.

However, Mr McLeish said a free vote for Labour MSPs would have “huge implications on the very idea of Scotland staying within the union”.

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Speaking on BBC’s Good Morning Scotland, Mr McLeish, said: “If the party is saying, look we need a bigger debate within the party, that’s fine.

I think that we have to be quite clear that a debate in the party is not the same as saying to the country you can vote however you wish.

“But if for example you allow MPs, MSPs, MEPs and councillors to vote whatever way they want, what is the message we’re telling the public?

“I think that we have to be quite clear that a debate in the party is not the same as saying to the country you can vote however you wish.”