This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-39991248
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Election 2017: Scottish Labour 'guarantees' indyref2 opposition | Election 2017: Scottish Labour 'guarantees' indyref2 opposition |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Scottish Labour has said it will "never" support independence as it launched its manifesto for next month's general election. | Scottish Labour has said it will "never" support independence as it launched its manifesto for next month's general election. |
| Speaking at the event in Edinburgh, leader Kezia Dugdale gave a "cast-iron guarantee" that her party will oppose a second referendum. | Speaking at the event in Edinburgh, leader Kezia Dugdale gave a "cast-iron guarantee" that her party will oppose a second referendum. |
| She accused the SNP of prioritising independence over education and health. | She accused the SNP of prioritising independence over education and health. |
| And she said Scotland was already divided enough - and did not want or need another "divisive" referendum. | |
| Holding aloft her party manifesto, she told the gathering: "In these 120 pages you will find our cast iron guarantee that we will oppose a second independence referendum. | Holding aloft her party manifesto, she told the gathering: "In these 120 pages you will find our cast iron guarantee that we will oppose a second independence referendum. |
| "The Labour Party, built on solidarity and co-operation, could never support taking our country down a divisive path like that again - our country is divided enough." | "The Labour Party, built on solidarity and co-operation, could never support taking our country down a divisive path like that again - our country is divided enough." |
| The manifesto states that Scotland would face a £15bn deficit if the UK were to be "torn apart", which it says would hurt the poorest and most vulnerable in society. | The manifesto states that Scotland would face a £15bn deficit if the UK were to be "torn apart", which it says would hurt the poorest and most vulnerable in society. |
| It goes on to say: "The SNP needs to respect the verdict of the majority of Scots in 2014 and abandon its divisive plan to re-run the referendum. | It goes on to say: "The SNP needs to respect the verdict of the majority of Scots in 2014 and abandon its divisive plan to re-run the referendum. |
| "It needs to get on with the day job and reverse the cuts being inflicted on Scotland's public services. Scottish Labour will never support independence, because we believe that together we're stronger." | "It needs to get on with the day job and reverse the cuts being inflicted on Scotland's public services. Scottish Labour will never support independence, because we believe that together we're stronger." |
| The manifesto also features a series of pledges aimed at delivering "transformative change" in Scotland - many of which are the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament rather than Westminster. | The manifesto also features a series of pledges aimed at delivering "transformative change" in Scotland - many of which are the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament rather than Westminster. |
| These include; | These include; |
| Ms Dugdale said: "This is a manifesto in the finest traditions of the Labour movement, and it starts with some very simple principles. | Ms Dugdale said: "This is a manifesto in the finest traditions of the Labour movement, and it starts with some very simple principles. |
| "Power and wealth in our country are concentrated in too few hands, and for Scotland to succeed each and every one of us has to do well. | "Power and wealth in our country are concentrated in too few hands, and for Scotland to succeed each and every one of us has to do well. |
| "And whatever the challenges that are thrown at us we are better tackling them together because together we are stronger." | "And whatever the challenges that are thrown at us we are better tackling them together because together we are stronger." |
| She said that her party offered voters a "clear choice" and the opportunity to "reject the divisive policies of the SNP and the Tories", who she said were still acting like the "nasty party" under Theresa May. | She said that her party offered voters a "clear choice" and the opportunity to "reject the divisive policies of the SNP and the Tories", who she said were still acting like the "nasty party" under Theresa May. |
| Ms Dugdale told voters: "You can reject a second independence referendum and hard Brexit and you can vote for a positive and hopeful plan for Scotland and the United Kingdom." | Ms Dugdale told voters: "You can reject a second independence referendum and hard Brexit and you can vote for a positive and hopeful plan for Scotland and the United Kingdom." |
| Two-horse race | Two-horse race |
| Scottish Labour's focus on its opposition to independence comes as both the SNP and the Scottish Conservatives have sought to define the election as a two-horse race between their parties. | Scottish Labour's focus on its opposition to independence comes as both the SNP and the Scottish Conservatives have sought to define the election as a two-horse race between their parties. |
| The Tories, who squeezed Ms Dugdale's party into third place in the most recent Holyrood and council elections, have repeatedly led their campaigning on a hardline message of opposing another referendum. | The Tories, who squeezed Ms Dugdale's party into third place in the most recent Holyrood and council elections, have repeatedly led their campaigning on a hardline message of opposing another referendum. |
| Labour's UK manifesto also confirmed it opposed an independence referendum despite leader Jeremy Corbyn previously saying it would be wrong for Westminster to block a vote if the Scottish Parliament called for one. | Labour's UK manifesto also confirmed it opposed an independence referendum despite leader Jeremy Corbyn previously saying it would be wrong for Westminster to block a vote if the Scottish Parliament called for one. |
| Writing in the manifesto foreword, Mr Corbyn said independence would inflict "turbo-charged austerity on the Scottish people", and said that nationalism does not offer hope or solutions to society's problems. | Writing in the manifesto foreword, Mr Corbyn said independence would inflict "turbo-charged austerity on the Scottish people", and said that nationalism does not offer hope or solutions to society's problems. |
| The Scottish Conservatives launched their manifesto last week, with the SNP due to do the same on Tuesday. | The Scottish Conservatives launched their manifesto last week, with the SNP due to do the same on Tuesday. |