THE SNP have challenged Labour to back plans for Scotland to create a written constitution and enshrine free healthcare and workers' rights in law.
MSPs are set to debate the official proposal in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.
The document detailing the plan - 'Building a New Scotland: Creating a modern constitution for an independent Scotland' - received the backing of Labour peer and human rights lawyer Baroness Helena Kennedy last week.
Kennedy said that "people should be going to work on creating a written constitution for an independent Scotland, definitely" and added "I would do it now if I were in that camp".
As well as ensuring that healthcare was free at the point of need for all citizens, the SNP's plans would also provide stronger protections for human rights and equality, including upholding and fulfilling the right to an adequate standard of living as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Kevin Stewart (above), the SNP MSP for Aberdeen Central, said the debate would force Labour to address whether they feel the current constitutional arrangements work for Scotland.
He added: “Keir Starmer has rolled back on almost every principle he once claimed to champion as he tries to punt his Tory tribute act to voters in England - if Labour want to salvage any credibility on democracy, rights and equality then they will back the plans for a written constitution to enhance citizen’s rights.
"Put simply, the UK's current constitutional arrangements are not good enough. It does nothing to protect our health service or workers' and citizens' rights which we see Westminster governments take advantage of, with creeping NHS privatisation and ripping away the right to strike.
“Independence offers the people in Scotland the chance to create a permanent, modern, written constitution that puts their rights at the heart of Scotland's democracy. This should be above party politics.
"I hope to see all MSPs backing these proposals today which put the values of the people at the heart of our society.”
