Scottish Labour backs UK rejoining European Union

The UK should seek to rejoin the European Union and Scottish Labour will “work to make that happen”, leader Michael Marra has said.

Setting out the party’s new position, Marra confirmed he had written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham calling on him to include a commitment to rejoining the bloc in Labour’s manifesto for the next general election.

He said while the process of renegotiating membership would be “difficult” and there were “serious questions” around issues like currency and borders, the Scottish Labour leader said Scotland would be “stronger” as part of “a Europe working together”.

Economic, security and climate concerns were at the heart of the decision to change the party’s stance, he said, as was ensuring more opportunities for young people.

The SNP said it welcomed acknowledgement of the damage of Brexit and argued that the decision to “revisit” the question of EU membership should also open the door to reconsidering Scottish independence.

But Reform said rejoining the bloc was not necessary to deliver economic growth.

The UK formally left the EU almost seven years ago, at the end of January 2020, following years of negotiations after the 2016 referendum.

Scotland was the only part of the UK that voted to remain and continues to be among the most pro-EU parts of the country, according to polling.

Burnham recently told the Labour conference that Brexit had “done more harm than good”.

He is now seeking to renegotiate the UK’s relationship with the EU, with a major summit set to take place in Brussels later this month.

Labour’s policy position is not to rejoin but the PM has said this should be included as part of a national conversation about the “different options”.

Marra said his announcement today was a “distinct Scottish Labour position” and acknowledged he may not win the argument within his wider party.

He said: “Today I am setting out what I think the best destination is for Scotland and the whole of the UK. I will seek to make that positive case and build that consensus.

“I have written to the prime minister making the case that rejoining be considered as part of Britain’s longer-term European debate. I have also told him that he will have my personal support and that of the Scottish Labour Party in ensuring it is included in the next UK manifesto.”

The Scottish Labour leader intends to convene a “Scottish summit” to bring together business, trade unions, universities and others to discuss a campaign. Other political parties will also be invited to the summit.

Pressed on the mechanism for rejoining, Marra would not be drawn on whether a referendum would be required or whether a government elected on a manifesto commitment would be enough.

SNP depute leader Keith Brown said Scottish Labour had “finally accepted the obvious fact” that Brexit had “been a disaster”.

He added: “Having accepted that people are able to revisit the EU referendum decision taken 10 years ago, how can any Labour Party politician now seriously claim Scotland can’t revisit the independence referendum decision taken 12 years ago?

“The UK Labour Government’s position is as clear as mud – the fact is the only way to guarantee Scotland’s EU membership is to rejoin as an independent member state.”

However, Marra argued that Scotland’s best chance of rejoining the EU was as part of the UK.

On whether his calls made it easier for Nationalists to make the case for another independence referendum, he said the two were “very different questions” and he was “putting the interests of Scotland first”.

He added he didn’t “really care” whether John Swinney would use this to make his own argument for a fresh independence vote.

Reform MSP Max Bannerman said Brexit had “returned control of money, borders and trade policy” to the UK.

He added: “If there’s improvement to be made, it’s to the parts of the rushed Brexit strategy orchestrated by a succession of failed leaders.

“We don’t need to rejoin the EU to see growth – it’s perfectly achievable by looking inward, slimming down the benefits bill, creating jobs and not frightening off investment with misguided taxation.”

Asked whether he was concerned the change in position could push voters towards Reform, Marra said there was “strong support” for the EU in Scotland and “we can build that further, but we have to set out the economic case”.