KEIR Starmer has been told he has “zero credibility” talking about Scotland’s economy ahead of a Glasgow this week.
The Labour leader will visit Scotland’s biggest city on Friday to put forward his vision for “Scottish innovation” to sit at the heart of the UK economy, should he become the next prime minister.
But Mhairi Black said Labour’s support for Brexit made the opposition leader unqualified to talk about Scotland’s economy.
The SNP’s deputy Westminster leader said: “Keir Starmer is happy to throw Scotland under Boris Johnson’s Brexit bus – and as such he has zero credibility in talking about Scotland’s economy.
“Under him and Anas Sarwar, Labour is a pro-Brexit party that would do nothing to reverse the appalling damage the Tories are inflicting on Scotland having dragged us out of the EU.
"Instead Labour stand side by side with the Tories in keeping us locked outside the single market, which is seven times the size of the UK's.
“It is clearer by the day that the only way for Scotland to flourish is by becoming an independent country and re-joining the European Union."
Speaking ahead of his visit, Starmer accused the SNP and Conservative governments of having stifled Scotland’s potential.
He said: “Scotland is a nation that has always punched above its weight in terms of innovation and creativity.
“From Alexander Fleming and John Logie Baird to modern revolutions in tidal energy and medical research, the ingenuity of people here has created prosperity, improved lives and transformed the world.
“It is still true today, from electronic entertainment in Dundee to world-leading engineering projects on the Clyde.
“However, the reality is that great spirit of innovation and creativity is hamstrung by two governments who’ve failed to deliver economic prosperity.
“Scotland’s genius can deliver opportunity, create highly skilled jobs and unleash the full potential for everyone who lives on these islands.
“That’s my promise to people here, that a government I lead will one in which every region and nation of the UK will be heard.
“A mission-driven government that will end sticking plaster politics, will unlock the pride and purpose that is in every community, will give this country its confidence, its hope, its future back.
“And put Scotland’s innovation at the heart of an economy that is the fastest growing in the G7.”
