Jeremy Corbyn has hit out at the SNP’s “strange” impulse to link Brexit with another Scottish independence referendum when they are supposed to be campaigning for the EU.
The UK Labour leader, who has himself been accused of running a lacklustre campaign to stay in the bloc, said the Nationalists have failed to focus on the job in hand.
He said Nicola Sturgeon and her party were raising the spectre of a second independence referendum based on a Brexit forced through by English votes – when they should be throwing their weight behind Remain.
Speaking to The Courier on a campaign visit to Dundee, Mr Corbyn said: “It seems kind of strange that she and others in the SNP seem to be predicting one thing in order to bring about a second (independence) referendum, whereas they are doing very little about the best position for Scotland, which is to Remain in the EU.
“I think people should vote on June 23 on the basis of the what they think about whether Britain should be part of the European Union – and therefore have the free movement of people and the advantages, and the challenges which I’ve set out, or not. That should be the sole basis of the decision.”
He dismissed suggestions his own campaign has fallen short of the mark, saying he has been making a strong case for the EU in Cornwall, Birmingham, Wales and Scotland in the past week.
Earlier this week, Scottish Vote Leave said it was a “pity he won’t be advocating his real view” in favour of “backing an undemocratic wealthy political elite to rule over the UK”.
Responding, Mr Corbyn said: “I have always had a critical view of much of the workings of the European Union. I do think its democracy and accountability needs to be improved, I don’t deny any of that.”
But he said the single market is “absolutely vital” and hailed the EU’s achievements on working hours, paternity and maternity leave and discrimination legislation.
He added: “The free movement of people means that all the universities including ones in Dundee take people in from across the EU, and likewise students from here go there, and if we don’t have that cross fertilisation of ideas then we are all the weaker for it.”
He took a swipe at Leave campaigners Boris Johnson and Michael Gove over their agitation for a “bonfire of regulations”, which puts human rights and environmental protection at risk as well as a “lot of things the country relies on that come via the EU”.
Referring in part to the SNP’s income tax plans, which are broadly in line with the UK’s regime, Mr Corbyn said: “They profess to be an anti-austerity government and they have made a great deal about that, but they haven’t actually pursued anything other than a similar economic strategy to the UK Government’s.”
An SNP spokeswoman said: “As Nicola Sturgeon has consistently made clear, this referendum isn’t a vote on independence and we will continue to make the positive, progressive case for Scotland and the rest of the UK remaining in Europe.
“The question for Mr Corbyn is why so many people are questioning his commitment to a Remain vote – so in the remaining 10 days of the campaign he needs to do more to make the case for our place in Europe and to persuade people of the many benefits it brings.
“In terms of the SNP’s record in office, unlike Labour our anti-austerity credentials are rock solid, which is why so many people have turned their back on Mr Corbyn’s party in Scotland.”
