The Scottish Labour leader has called for the UK to re-join the European Union, insisting it should be a “long-term objective” for the whole country. During his first major speech since becoming party leader, Michael Marra said he wanted “solidarity, not separation” and accepted that “re-joining the EU won’t be easy”. Marra acknowledged there would be “serious questions” over issues such as currency and borders before the UK could return to the EU. Last month, the UK government ruled out re-joining the EU within this parliament but Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he wanted to explore closer ties with Europe.
The UK Labour leader suggested another referendum on the issue could feature in a future Labour manifesto. Speaking at the University of Edinburgh, Marra said: “The UK should re-join the European Union and Scottish Labour will work to make that happen. “I don’t pretend it will happen quickly. But I believe we should set it as a long-term objective for the UK and that Scotland should lead the change in making that happen.” Marra accepted his call goes further than Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s position.
He added: “Re-joining the EU is not the current policy of the UK Labour Party and not the current policy of the UK government. “The UK Labour Party isn’t there yet. This is a distinct Scottish Labour position.” Marra’s predecessor, Anas Sarwar, had pushed for closer ties with the EU after Brexit but did not go as far as to call for the UK to re-join the bloc. “It is in Scotland’s interests, and in the interests of the whole United Kingdom, for the UK to re-join the European Union,” added Marra.
Andy Burnham wants to get closer to the EU – but he shouldn’t expect a smooth ride UK cannot ‘cherry pick’ EU single market deal, Barnier tells BBC Why the prime minister wants to talk about Brexit again Addressing party supporters, Marra set out how going back into Europe would boost the economy. The North East MSP said that “breaking down barriers” with European nations would “help Scottish businesses grow, attract investment and create better-paid jobs”. It could also “help bring down prices and generate more money for our public services”, he added. Marra accepted that re-joining the EU “won’t solve every problem we have”, but added: “If we’re serious about growth, we cannot keep ignoring the opportunity on our doorstep.” His speech came ahead of the prime minister travelling to Brussels next week where he is expected to sign a series of deals with the EU.
These will be focused on bringing down post-Brexit trade barriers on food and farming, as well as working more closely on emissions trading and making it easier for young people from the UK to work, live and study in Europe, and vice versa. Responding to Marra’s speech, SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said: “Having accepted that people are able to revisit the EU referendum decision taken 10 years ago, how can any Labour Party politician now seriously claim Scotland can’t revisit the independence referendum decision taken 12 years ago?” Marra told BBC Scotland News that he did not support a second referendum, and said he believed the people of Scotland did not either. Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said he was pleased to see Scottish Labour following his party’s lead. He added: “It’s important to offer the people of Britain a realistic roadmap back to Europe.
That starts with re-joining the single market and establishing a customs union as a key first step.” The Scottish Greens’ co-leader Gillian Mackay said she agrees with Marra that Scotland’s “place is in the EU” – but added it was hypocritical to support this while ignoring “growing demand” for an Independence referendum. Reform UK Scotland’s Max Bannerman said the country does not need to re-join the EU to see growth. Michael Marra has set a very clear policy direction for his party. So why now?
Andy Burnham took the first step by taking his tin opener to this can of political worms at the Labour Party conference as he seeks closer ties with the EU. There’s a crunch summit in Brussels a week on Friday. But Marra is going further than the prime minister. He points out rejoining the EU is not the current policy of the UK government and that this is a distinct, Scottish Labour position.
Marra is a new leader and he needs to make the news with a stand-out position, so that also helps to answer the “why now” question. Scottish Labour believe their leader has two clear roles; challenge the Scottish government and influence the UK government. Marra thinks he can be influential and it’s a change even from the position he held when he took over as leader. There may be a fair amount of Scottish public support for this and brings Labour alongside the SNP as they both burnish their pro-EU credentials.
Labour and the SNP will continue their traditional battle and now Marra has a new fight on his hands to fully convince his party of his stance as he demands “rejoin” be included in their next general election manifesto.
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