Douglas Alexander has said a future SNP majority would be taken seriously by a Labour Government in relation to a second Scottish independence referendum.
The comment came during his first session at Scotland Questions as the new Secretary of State for Scotland, following the recent sacking of Ian Murray.
In response to a question from SNP MP Stephen Gethins, Mr Alexander indicated that a Labour Government would not dismiss a democratic mandate for a referendum.
He referred to a previous statement by Keir Starmer, who said that “if there’s an SNP majority, it’s got to be looked at in Westminster.”
Pressed further, Alexander said he “always agrees with his boss,” reinforcing the suggestion that Labour would engage with a renewed push for a second vote if the SNP wins a majority of seats at the next Holyrood election.
Stephen Gethins MP welcomed the response, calling it a significant admission.
“If the SNP win a majority next year, the people of Scotland should have choice over whether we have a fresh start with independence, Keir Starmer is on record agreeing with that and today Douglas Alexander confirmed it,” said Gethins.
The SNP has committed to declaring a mandate for a second referendum if it wins a majority of seats in the upcoming election, with party members backing First Minister John Swinney’s plan to use next year’s vote as a trigger for a fresh independence campaign.
Gethins added that the UK Government’s role in deciding Scotland’s future remains a sore point for many.
“Every time Douglas Alexander or one of his Labour Party cronies stands up in Westminster and tries to dictate to the Scottish people about what’s good for them, it’s just another reminder about how far removed Westminster is,” he said.
Labour colleagues in Scotland have offered a cooler reception to Alexander’s return to frontline politics, with one reportedly telling the press:
“If I had a pound for everyone who liked Douglas, I’d have 50 pence.”
Still, the new Scottish Secretary’s remarks are being read as an acknowledgment that a clear SNP victory would increase pressure for Westminster to act on the question of Scotland’s constitutional future.
