7 April 2017

Labour should stop indulging its Scottish party and broker a progressive alliance with the SNP

For as long as Scotland is part of the union, it is manifestly obvious that Labour in Westminster must talk to the SNP.

Labour could not have played its cards worse when it comes to Scotland. Years of neglect and complacency were accelerated by the decision to line up with the Tories in the 2014 independence referendum. This was the final straw. The party suddenly and dramatically saw its vote fall off the cliff. Labour’s working-class base had a new home to go to – the Scottish National Party. By pitching independence against social justice Labour has made a terrible mistake.

In one sense what the Scottish Labour Party (SLP) does is up to them. But a small and diminishing tail is wagging the UK Labour dog when it comes to talking to the SNP. It can’t go on.