Scottish independence: Sir Charles Gray in Yes vow

Sir Charles Gray has urged Labour voters to back the Yes camp in next year's independence referendum. Picture: Jane Barlow

Sir Charles Gray, who was leader of Strathclyde Regional Council from 1986-92, says independence is the way ahead of the Labour party north of the border.

The 84-year-old, who was also a preseident of local government body COSLA said: “I am convinced that a Yes vote next September will be the making of Scotland as well as the means for Scottish Labour to reclaim its place at the forefront of Scottish politics and Scottish life.”

The stalwart, who was also head of North Lanarkshire Council and has been a Labour Party member since he was 16, said he is confident that if Scotland votes Yes next year Labour will be elected the first government of an independent Scotland in 2016.

Sir Charles Gray, pictured in 1986. Picture: Comp

He added: “I would appeal to all Labour supporters to grab this unique opportunity and to vote for an independent Scotland so that we can start to build the kind of country we want for our families and future generations based on an agenda of social justice and fairness.

“I have always been in favour of Home Rule for Scotland and we have to give credit to Alex Salmond and the SNP for getting us to this stage in the process.

“A Yes vote is the only way to ensure that Scotland gets the kind of government that the people of Scotland choose and that we get rid of a Westminster system that is out of touch with Scottish opinion, priorities and values and imposes such dreadful policies such as the Bedroom Tax.”

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