Independence Concerns Put To Scottish Labour Leader

Independence campaigners claim independence could help the party to re-engage.

The Labour for Independence Convenor has openly expressed concerns over his party's lack of support for independence.

Allan Grogan has written to Scottish Labour Leader Johann Lamont voicing his opinion that a Yes vote is a good opportunity to re-engage with voters and win them back.

He says the referendum is causing a split of opinion within Labour.

You can read Allan Grogan's letter in full here:

Dear Ms Lamont,

I am writing to you as I have grave concerns over our parties lack of forward thinking should there be a yes vote this September. As I’m sure you will be aware the polls are narrowing and independence is now a very real possibility for which we as a party should begin to not only accept but also embrace.

For the last two years Labour for Independence has campaigned that independence will not only benefit Scotland but also the Labour Party in Scotland. It is imperative that we seize this opportunity to return to our founding principles of universalism and social justice.  I cannot see how we can achieve this within the U.K as the Westminster Labour Party compete for votes in the highly populated Middle England running on a platform of more austerity and immigration rhetoric. After a yes vote we can return to being the party that promotes fairness and equality, that removes nuclear weapons from our shores. I hope you will agree that we have the potential to create a radically different society which promotes highly paid, highly skilled jobs in an all of us first (See Common Weal) Scotland. There is a clear demand from the public for an end to 'Me First' politics.

I'm sure you are aware that a rising number of Labour members and voters are now planning to vote yes this September. This is in no part down to the tremendous opportunity to create a new Scotland, shaped by the will of the people, not by governments Scotland did not vote for inflicting policies we do not want or deserve such as the Bedroom Tax.  Throughout this campaign I have met several former Labour members and supporters who have now left the party. I have often heard the line 'I didn’t leave the Labour Party, the Labour Party left me.' Independence will offer us a wonderful opportunity to re-engage with these voters and win them back to the party.

After the referendum there will only be a short period of time before the first election. This time will be dominated by negotiations of which we will play our part in a Team Scotland effort. This is why it is vital that we now begin to plan the changes we need to make within both party operations and policy. I, like many were disappointed that Labour's decision to support Better Together was done without consultation of the membership. We cannot allow this to happen again. Our future plans must be made in accordance with our members and supporters. We should also consider opening this to the wider public to gain a stronger understanding of the mistakes we have made and what we need to do to achieve  an electable party in 2016.

I look forward to your reply, I hope that we can recognise our faults within our party to ensure a better future for not only Labour but the people of Scotland.
 

Yours in Solidarity,

Allan Grogan