Scotland should choose our own future
Andy Burnham’s promise of a new kind of politics is already ringing hollow, the Scottish Greens have said, after the new Prime Minister dismissed Scotland’s democratic right to choose its own future.
Mr Burnham reportedly told First Minister John Swinney that they would have to “agree to disagree” on Scotland’s right to hold a referendum, despite the people of Scotland electing the largest pro-independence majority in the history of the Scottish Parliament, including 15 Scottish Green MSPs.
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay MSP said:
“Andy Burnham promised change, but on day one it is already ringing hollow and Scotland is getting the same old Westminster stitch-up.
“His refusal to recognise Scotland’s right to choose its own future is the same position taken by every Prime Minister for more than a decade. It is anti-democratic, and it is not the new politics that he promised just a few days ago.
“There is nothing new about denying democracy. Andy Burnham has built his whole reputation on devolving power and doing things differently, but this is already looking like the same old Westminster rule."
Gillian added:
“The Scottish Greens believe in democracy, it was democratic choice that returned a record-breaking 15 Green MSPs to Holyrood, securing the biggest ever majority of MSPs in favour of Scotland’s right to choose our own future, and it was the same democratic choice that rejected Scottish Labour once again.
“Scotland has been clear time and time again. Our future must be decided by the people who live here, not dictated by another unelected Prime Minister in Westminster.
“People of Scotland deserve the opportunity to vote on independence and choose the kind of country they want Scotland to become. No Prime Minister should have the power to deny that choice.”