The SNP has challenged Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to break his silence on the UK Internal Market Act after former Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford called for the legislation to be scrapped.
Drakeford said the UK Internal Market Act should be removed from the statute book during an appearance on Politics Wales, arguing that it undermines devolved decision making.
The Act gives the UK Government powers to intervene in areas that are otherwise devolved to Scotland and Wales, a move that has long been criticised by the Scottish and Welsh Governments.
While Welsh Labour figures have repeatedly condemned the legislation, the SNP says Scottish Labour has failed to take a clear public position since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.
Drakeford’s intervention follows a letter earlier this month in which more than a third of Welsh Labour Members of the Senedd accused the UK Government of rolling back devolution.
The SNP says the contrast between Welsh Labour’s stance and the silence of Scottish Labour raises serious questions about how committed the party is to defending Holyrood’s powers.
SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said:
“The UK Internal Market Act absolutely does undermine both Parliaments, and it should be scrapped.
“Before Starmer was in power, both Scottish and Welsh Labour were not shy about calling out the Internal Market Act.
“While his colleagues in Wales are doing the right thing, Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour have remained silent.
“I’m calling on Anas Sarwar to make clear what he really thinks about Labour’s Internal Market Act, which undermines Scotland’s Parliament.
“The only way to protect our Parliament from Westminster interference forever is with the full powers of independence.”
The UK Internal Market Act was introduced after Brexit to regulate trade within the UK, but has been criticised for allowing Westminster to override devolved standards and policies.
Opponents argue the legislation weakens the ability of devolved parliaments to set their own rules in areas such as food standards, environmental protection and public procurement.
The SNP says Drakeford’s comments underline growing unease within Labour itself about the long term impact of the Act on devolution.
Pressure is now mounting on Scottish Labour to clarify whether it supports the continued operation of the Internal Market Act or agrees with calls for its repeal.
