Zarah Sultana has said she believes in the “principle of self-determination” for Scotland and that Your Party’s stance on independence will be decided democratically by its Scottish members.
During a visit to Glasgow on Friday, the MP, who co-runs Your Party alongside Jeremy Corbyn, told The Herald that determining the new left-wing party’s position on Scotland’s constitutional future would be a “high priority” at any potential future Scottish conference.
“It has to be voted through democratically,” Ms Sultana said. “We need to decide what our constitutional position would be, but there are some fundamentals. I believe in the principle of self-determination and I apply that consistently.
“I also believe that Westminster shouldn’t have a veto on independence and that the Scottish Parliament should be able to democratically decide the timing of a referendum.
“Now, whether that position is a Yes or No position to independence, Scottish members have to decide that. Should Scotland itself vote for independence, then as a party we are the only party that will deliver that result.”
Ms Sultana said she did not expect the question of Scottish independence to be debated at Your Party’s inaugural UK conference in November, which she described as being focused on “founding documents, our constitution and our governance.”
However, she suggested a separate Scottish gathering could be convened to determine the party’s approach north of the Border.
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“There can be special conferences that are held — there can be a Scottish conference if Scottish members want it — where I believe that will be quite a high priority,” she said. “Then through discussion, debate and a vote, that will be our policy platform.”
Her comments echo those of former SSP MSP Frances Curran, who told The Herald earlier this month that she wanted a Scottish conference early next year to allow supporters to shape Your Party’s direction in Scotland.
Asked if she would welcome such a move, Ms Sultana replied: “Absolutely. I support any means to engage our membership and have more democracy to organise in Scotland. If Scottish members want to have a conference in Scotland, I fully support it.”
Ms Sultana, who represents the English constituency of Coventry South, stressed that decisions on Scotland’s future would not be imposed from Westminster.
“As an English MP, it’s not appropriate for me to say what our party’s position will be on independence," she said.
The MP said she could not give a timeframe for further defections but confirmed that “conversations are taking place” with councillors and other elected representatives in Scotland.
Speaking ahead of an event on Friday in Maryhill where a crowd of over 300 party supporters gathered, Ms Sultana also said she expects 'many more' Scottish politicians to defect to Your Party following the first elected politicians north of the Border joining the new socialist movement on the same day.
Three Scottish Green councillors in Glasgow have defected to join to Sultana and Corbyn’s Your Party – giving it its first representatives in Scotland.
Councillors Seonad Hoy, Dan Hutchison, and Leòdhas Massie announced on Friday morning they will now sit as a group on Glasgow City Council under the Your Party banner.
All the defected councillors confirmed with The Herald on Friday night they wanted the party to take a stance in favour of self-determination.
"I hope the UK-wide party movement doesn't stand in the way of that so that we can hold a referendum," Cllr Massie told The Herald.
However, the councillors said they would welcome anyone in the party who was against Scottish independence.
"It's a democratic decision and I think as a party we need to say that democracy is core and if people of Scotland want a vote, we get a vote. I would campaign for it but I understand there are plenty who would campaign against it, there are some who believe in federalism and that's fine," Cllr Hutchison said.
Ms Sultana also addressed comments she made earlier this year when she accused Jeremy Corbyn of overseeing a “sexist boys’ club” during the founding of Your Party.
“Throughout my entire political career I have experienced Islamophobia, I’ve experienced racism and I’ve experienced misogyny — and that was my experience within the Labour Party,” she told The Herald. “There have been issues in the setting up of this new party, but we are committed to learn those lessons and build a culture and environment that is truly inclusive.”
