'˜Scottish parties must form popular front against Brexit'

Scottish political parties should form a 'popular front' in support of a fresh vote on Brexit, according to a campaign leader.

Lord Adonis said there should be more cooperation between Scottish Labour and the SNP to back the People’s Vote group who want a ballot on whatever exit plans result from talks with EU leaders.

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Theresa May has rejected calls for a such a vote, while Labour has said it wants a general election to decide the issue.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has cleared the way for party MPs to back a second EU referendum, while the Liberal Democrats are also in favour.

Flags fly at half mast outside the Scottish Parliament.Flags fly at half mast outside the Scottish Parliament.
Flags fly at half mast outside the Scottish Parliament.
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Speaking on BBC Sunday Politics Scotland, Labour peer Lord Adonis said: “In Scotland the majority voted to Remain and the overwhelming majority of Labour and SNP members want to remain, and if I can say I think Nicola Sturgeon has done the right thing in giving very strong leadership towards a People’s Vote.

“What I want to see is a popular front. The whole future of Scotland is at stake. There is no future for Scotland which is better off outside the European Union.

“For my party it is the right thing to do, it’s the right thing to do for the Scottish Government and they should work together on this.”

Lord Adonis has held a number of events across Scotland in the last week and said people are “very clear sighted as to what they want”.

He told the BBC Scotland programme: “In the meetings I’ve done in Scotland, I’ve had Labour, Lib Dem and SNP members, and indeed some Conservative members, and what they want is a popular front.

“They want all of the parties coming together to put pressure on the House of Commons so that there is a People’s Vote and we end Brexit. They are very clear sighted as to what they want.

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“What we now need is our political leaders to follow the people.”

The former transport secretary said the parties could work together and still keep distinct views on the topic of Scottish independence.

“The issue we have in the next year is whether we Brexit or not, that is the issue and the one we should address”, he said

“We have an opportunity to stop it but only if our politicians work together.”