New Scottish Labour leader hesitates on motion affirming Scotland's right to decide its future
Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra declined to endorse a parliamentary motion stating Scotland is a nation with the right to decide its own future, saying a referendum is not currently a priority.
During one outlet Scotland interview, newly elected Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra said he could not back a motion asserting that Scotland, as a nation, has the right to decide its own future, describing the proposal as new to him. He emphasized that a second independence referendum is not a current priority for the electorate and will examine the amendment with his party before the scheduled debate. Marra noted that his friends and family in Dundee support independence but do not demand a referendum, and he redirected the conversation to pressing domestic issues like school performance, NHS pressures and recent PISA results.
He also called on First Minister John Swinney to create a special commission aimed at achieving the 2030 child-poverty target, warning that Scotland is likely to miss the goal without coordinated action. The leader’s stance contrasts with the First Minister’s call for unanimous support of the motion across all parties.
Why it matters
The stance of Scotland's new Labour leader on a key constitutional motion could shape future debates on independence and domestic policy priorities.
How this story developed
- Sep 12 Trump says he hopes to see a united Ireland someday
- Sep 12 Unionist leaders issued sharp criticism of Trump’s remarks.
- Sep 12 Leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will meet in Cardiff on Monday to sign a declaration calling for independence referendums and the dissolution of the United Kingdom.
- Sep 13 The leaders are presenting the Cardiff gathering as a party‑leader dialogue rather than a formal inter‑governmental summit.
- Sep 13 Trump reiterated his support for a united Ireland at a press briefing at his Doonbeg resort.
- Sep 13 Mary Lou McDonald attended the Cardiff signing and DUP deputy Emma Little‑Pengelly denied O’Neill’s authority to represent Northern Ireland’s first‑ministerial office.
- Sep 14 Trump announced the United States would drop tariffs on Irish whiskey.
- Sep 15 Leaders signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the UK government to prepare independence referendums for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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