WE write to congratulate the new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on his election and to give our full support for his call to “establish a Constitutional Convention in opposition that applies the principle of federalism and a new settlement for the UK”.
Since coming together in 2011 the Red Paper Collective, a group of socialists and trade unionists, has urged successive Scottish and UK leaders to adopt a clear position of maximum devolution whilst, maintaining UK-wide solidarity and fiscal redistribution. Such an approach would allow us to use these powers for a purpose, most notably to address the desperate inequities and flaws within the current economic system, which have become all the more apparent during the current crisis. Labour must offer a credible position that reaches out to those voters who have left Labour in their droves.
This would be the first step towards a federal UK state. We urged the party adopt such a position in the run-up to the 2014 referendum and argued that this should be the third option on the ballot paper. That remains our position should there be any future independence referendum.
For too long the Labour Party has spoken about these issues but delivered nothing in terms of firm, clear and deliverable proposals – this must change.
We call on:
1), The proposed constitutional convention to be established and get to work immediately following the end of Coronavirus lockdown;
2), The convention to acknowledge that Scotland cannot wait for the rest of the UK to catch up and that any proposals relating to Scotland can proceed without waiting on the rest of the UK.
3). That any changes in Scotland’s constitutional arrangements are established in a way that means that future federal UK-wide arrangements can be accommodated.
Keir Starmer has made a good start good start on constitutional issues; his commitment to federalism is very welcome – now let’s keep up the momentum and deliver for the UK and Scotland.
Neil Findlay MSP, West Calder, on behalf of the Red Paper Collective.
STUART Jackson (Letters, April 7) is correct in saying that Jeremy Corbyn inspired thousands of new members to join the Labour Party. Unfortunately, Mr Corbyn also inspired thousands more Labour voters to cast their votes elsewhere.
Resolving the disconnect between the Labour members and voters is the biggest challenge facing Sir Keir Starmer and only time will tell if he is the right choice.
Tom Riddell, Perth.
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