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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Paul Hutcheon

Independence referendum should happen if Scottish Parliament wants it, says Labour MSP

A Labour MSP has contradicted her party leader by insisting there should be an independence referendum if Holyrood votes for one.

Katy Clark, a left winger, said indyref2 should happen if the parliament says there “needs” to be one.

She also said Holyrood should have a veto on Trident renewal and going to war.

Scottish Labour has had a variety of positions on a referendum in recent years, reflecting the differing views on how to handle the constitutional issue.

However Anas Sarwar, who took over as leader earlier this year, firmed up opposition to indyref2 by saying he opposed it for the duration of the current Holyrood term.

Clark, who represents the West of Scotland and who used to work for Jeremy Corbyn, has taken a different view.

In an interview with the BBC, she said: "I didn’t campaign for a referendum. I don’t think there should be a referendum now, however if the Scottish Parliament were to vote for one my view is that that should happen….if the Scottish Parliament is saying that there needs to be a referendum then I would argue there should be one.”

On Holyrood having a veto on Trident renewal she said: “As well as the UK Parliament having to agree, then the Scottish Parliament should also have to consent to those decisions.”

Asked whether this should also apply to going to war, she said: “My view is yes.”

Clark is a peer who has taken a leave of absence from the House of Lords.

A Labour spokesperson said: "Scottish Labour, and the Labour movement across the UK, is committed to modernising the UK's constitutional settlement so that it works for all of our nations and regions.

"Scottish Labour will continue to advocate for a strong Scottish Parliament."

It is understood Scottish Labour does not support Holyrood holding a veto on issues around national security and defence.

Scottish Tory MSP Donald Cameron said: “It’s absurd for a senior figure in Scottish Labour to call for Holyrood veto over explicitly reserved powers that are clearly UK-wide decisions.

“This Labour home rule plan risks undermining the foundations of the United Kingdom and our national security.

“Playing to the nationalists like this only highlights that Scottish Labour will no longer stand up for the United Kingdom at every turn.

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