KEIR Starmer has been called out by Scottish independence supporters for his pledge to “put more power in the hands of local leaders”.
The Labour leader put out a post on Twitter/X saying he strongly believed “those with skin in the game make the best decisions about the places they care about”.
But all the post seems to have done is rally Scottish independence backers who have highlighted his apparent hypocrisy given he has stood against another independence referendum.
SNP MP Patricia Gibson said Starmer appeared to believe he knew what was best for Scots.
She quoted his tweet and said: “The comments below do not apply to the people of Scotland, because Sir Keir knows better than Scots what is good for them, which is why we got this from Ian Murray.”
Gibson then highlighted Murray saying in October that he did not support any new powers for Holyrood.
The comments below do not apply to the people of Scotland, because Sir Keir knows better than Scots what is good for them, which is why we got this from Ian Murray 👉 https://t.co/BNksTOKe3A - to deliver a @ScotParl which knows its place https://t.co/obfqFz7k8o
— Patricia Gibson MP (@PGibsonSNP) January 14, 2024
Dr Craig Dalzell, head of policy and research at the Common Weal think tank, added: “I take it that includes devolving powers to hold independence referendums to the devolved parliaments?”
Starmer said in 2022 he would not grant a Section 30 order to allow Scotland to hold another independence referendum if he becomes prime minister.
After the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election in October, he said Labour’s victory showed Scottish independence was not a priority for voters and he “strongly believed in the Union”.
Economic justice campaigner and National columnist Richard Murphy quoted his tweet and said: “So what about giving Scotland independence then @Keir_Starmer?”
Meanwhile, independent councillor Kairin van Sweeden quoted Starmer’s tweet saying: “Me too. That’s why I campaign for #Scottishindependence @Keir_Starmer.”
Many independence supporters also commented on the tweet pointing out Starmer had not seen the logic in giving Scotland the opportunity for self-determination if he believed in more devolution.
YesWestLothian said: “Local leaders like…@HumzaYousaf?”
Lorna MacGillivray meanwhile added: “#Scottishindependence is the only thing acceptable to Scots and Scotland.”
