Labour MP Frank Field predicts Scotland will become independent

Labour MP Frank Field has predicted that Scotland will become an independent country.

Field’s comments come a week after Mary Lockhart, Scottish Labour candidate for Mid Scotland and Fife, said she would campaign for independence within her party.

Discussing differing views on the EU with SNP MP Alex Salmond on the BBC’s Daily Politics, Field said: “Indeed I think Scotland is another country and I actually do think we will move to a position where you have independence. I hope we will then push for parliaments for all the countries, with England having a sovereign parliament like you [Scotland] have, and Wales and Northern Ireland.”

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Salmond responded: “You have totally disarmed me with that proposal, which of course I have to support.”

Kezia Dugdale was forced to clarify her views on independence after being quoted as saying it was “not inconceivable” she would vote for independence if the UK voted to leave the EU while Scotland voted to remain.

Dugdale later said her party’s manifesto would commit Scottish Labour to voting against another referendum if it was tabled in Parliament. However Lockhart’s comments on independence seem to contradict her leader’s stance.

Speaking during a hustings event organised by Women for Independence, she said: “Kezia Dugdale has already indicated she is comfortable for Labour members to campaign for a Yes vote.”

She added: “It will depend on who joins and who leaves after this election. I will still certainly be arguing for a campaign for independence within the Labour party. The party is unlikely this time to adopt a line. It won't campaign for independence; it just won't stop anybody else from doing so.”

In a televised leader’s debate, Dugdale clarified her party’s stance on another independence referendum, saying: “We won't introduce one in government and we would vote against one if it's introduced by any other party.

“Our manifesto will make that commitment clear, unlike the Tories who have said they would support a second referendum if the SNP are elected on a manifesto promising one.”