Scottish Labour to consider U-turn on Indyref2

Scottish Labour is set to go to its members to ask whether the party should reverse its stance and back a second independence referendum.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard is expected to put forward proposals for a consultation on a referendum at a meeting of the party’s executive on Saturday.

It is understood the party’s stance could be decided by members at a special conference in April.

Party sources told The Guardian that the party could also discuss demands for it to split formally from the UK Labour party.

On Thursday, Clive Lewis, who is running to replace Jeremy Corbyn as UK leader, told the National that Scottish Labour should back a referendum, although he supported “radical federalism” rather than independence.

But Labour’s only Scottish MP, Ian Murray – who is running for deputy UK leader – is strongly opposed to a change in position.

Scottish Conservative chief whip Maurice Golden said this indicated “Labour’s long and painful surrender to the SNP”.

He added: “Ever since the independence referendum, they just haven’t been serious about Scotland’s place in the union.

“Now Richard Leonard has confirmed his willingness to break it up altogether.

“This move is a disgraceful sell out of the two million No voters, many of whom identified as lifelong Labour supporters.

“But those people can be assured the Scottish Conservatives will never turn our back on them or the UK.”