Scotland’s constitutional future has moved back to the centre of political debate after Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly told First Minister John Swinney that the two leaders would have to “agree to disagree” over Scotland’s right to hold another independence referendum.
The comments prompted a strongly worded response from the Scottish Greens, who accused the new Prime Minister of abandoning his promise of a different style of politics by refusing to support Scotland’s right to choose its own future.
The Greens argue that the current Scottish Parliament contains the largest pro independence majority in its history, including the party’s 15 MSPs, and say that gives a democratic mandate for another referendum.
Scottish Greens co leader Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“Andy Burnham promised change, but on day one it is already ringing hollow and Scotland is getting the same old Westminster stitch-up.
“His refusal to recognise Scotland’s right to choose its own future is the same position taken by every Prime Minister for more than a decade.
“It is anti-democratic, and it is not the new politics that he promised just a few days ago.
“There is nothing new about denying democracy.
“Andy Burnham has built his whole reputation on devolving power and doing things differently, but this is already looking like the same old Westminster rule.”
Ms Mackay said the Scottish Greens believe Scotland’s future should be determined by the people who live in the country and argued that the outcome of the recent Scottish Parliament election strengthened the case for another vote on independence.
She added:
“The Scottish Greens believe in democracy, it was democratic choice that returned a record-breaking 15 Green MSPs to Holyrood, securing the biggest ever majority of MSPs in favour of Scotland’s right to choose our own future, and it was the same democratic choice that rejected Scottish Labour once again.
“Scotland has been clear time and time again.
“Our future must be decided by the people who live here, not dictated by another unelected Prime Minister in Westminster.
“People of Scotland deserve the opportunity to vote on independence and choose the kind of country they want Scotland to become.
“No Prime Minister should have the power to deny that choice.”
The exchange highlights that Scotland’s constitutional future remains one of the first major areas of disagreement between the new UK Government and the Scottish Government, with the issue of a future independence referendum continuing to divide opinion across the political spectrum.
