Ian Murray on English Labour's 'constructive approach' for Scotland

This was published in the Edinburgh Evening News, February 5th, 2024.

In his most recent Thursday Edinburgh Evening News column, as well as his usual criticism of the Scottish Government, Ian Murray writes that an English Labour government will bring a “constructive approach so we can deliver for the country.” Of course he doesn’t go into any detail, but given the dizzying number of Starmer u-turns, we can infer what this approach entails….

I’m sure readers are curious about the “constructive approach” Ian Murray’s English Labour plans to bring to Scotland. 

Could it be retaining the bankers’ bonuses that Rachel Reeves just announced in an election year sop to the City of London? Or could it be doubling down on Brexit, that has hammered Scotland’s export-driven economy? Or perhaps it’s Wes Streeting’s plans to sell off the rest of the NHS or Starmer’s decision not to renationalise essential public services such as the Royal Mail, water, energy and transport? Maybe it’s the tough stance against the trade unions’ fight for a living wage. Or deciding against investing £28 billion in green technologies that would benefit Scotland. Perhaps it’s the decision to scrap free school meals for children or maybe it was the announcement that free university tuition was off the table. It could be retaining the 2-child benefit cap or ditching electoral reform to keep the UK at the bottom of the democratic league table. Or maybe it’s Labour’s pledge to do everything in its power to keep Scotland imprisoned in the failing UK. 

It’s hard to know which of these 'constructive' approaches Ian Murray is referring to that will make Scots keen to see an English Labour government in power down in Westminster. Please let us know, Ian, in your next column.