Scottish Labour to push federal UK as official policy.

Jeremy Corbyn and Kezia Dugdale Credit: PA Images

The UK should make steps towards a new, federal union by the next election, Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale will say later.

Speaking at University College London she will announce a motion to set the idea of federalism as Scottish Labour’s policy to party conference delegates next week.

The party’s leader north of the border proposes the creation of a People’s Constitutional Convention, which would see citizens from across the UK report before the next general election.

Speaking ahead of her keynote speech, the Lothians MSP said: “The historic mission of the Scottish Labour party has been to ensure that wealth is redistributed fairly across our country, that power should be widely shared and that decisions should be taken close to people so as to ensure that the views of working people are represented in our country.”

She laid out the party’s continued opposition to independence, ahead of a potential push by the SNP for another referendum in light of the Brexit process.

“We are firmly opposed to a second independence referendum. We believe that together we’re stronger. Today our country is deeply divided, not just by constitutional politics but by economic inequality,” she said.

“So to restore faith in our politics, build a more united society and create an economy that works for working people, I believe that we need to create a more federal UK.

“There should be a People’s Constitutional Convention, made up of citizens from across the United Kingdom, which should report before the next UK General Election. I believe we need a new Act of Union to save our Union for generations to come.”

Ms Dugdale has previously clashed with Jeremy Corbyn over the constitution, with the UK leader pouring cold water on the suggestion of a bespoke immigration policy in Scotland.

By Nicholas Mairs.

Culled from Politics Home.