Emergency Motion from the STUC Youth Committee on the EU Referendum and the Labour Party leadership at the STUC Youth Conference on Saturday
THE STUC Youth Committee supports a second referendum on Scottish Independence in the wake of the United Kingdom leaving the EU.
In an Emergency Motion to the STUC Youth Conference that took place in Clydebank on Saturday, the statement said that the committee supports Scottish Government moves to “explore all avenues in seeking membership of the EU, including consideration of a second independence referendum”.
The statement added: “The Committee also commits to continue to make the case for a genuinely social and democratic European Union whatever our status within it, and to work internationally with trade unionists and progressive movements to combat the rise of racism and fascism wherever it occurs on the continent.”
One of the delegates from the STUC told conference during the motion that “the demographics of politics in Scotland has completely changed, and we need to recognise that”.
Last month, the UK voted to leave the European Union by 52 per cent to 48 per cent, even though in Scotland backed to remain in the European Union by 62 per cent to 38 per cent.
The fallout from the vote prompted UK Prime Minister David Cameron to resign, sparking a Tory leadership race which will select a replacement by 9 September.
It is understood that the new UK prime minister will then invoke the Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which gives a strict two-year deadline to negotiate the UK withdrawal from the EU.
One of the delegates from the STUC told conference during the motion that “the demographics of politics in Scotland has completely changed, and we need to recognise that”.
She added: “The will of the Scottish people is that they want Scotland to be independent and be part of the EU, and we need to negotiate that with the UK.”
In the same motion, the STUC Youth Committee made a statement about the “major political crisis within the Labour party” as a result of the EU referendum.
In the same motion, the STUC Youth Committee made a statement about the “major political crisis within the Labour party” as a result of the EU referendum.
The statement said that the STUC Youth Committee is deeply disappointed that “rather than adopt the approach of the trade union movement to the referendum debate and aftermath, that individuals in the Labour shadow cabinet prioritised an attempt to unseat the elected leader of the Labour party at a time when united opposition was required”.
STUC Youth Committee, added: “The political and economic conditions which gave rise to Brexit were caused by the failure of the policies of successive governments of both Tory and Labour.
“The committee does not believe that it is reasonable to attribute the blame for political and economic conditions to Jeremy Corbyn.”
“The committee does not believe that it is reasonable to attribute the blame for political and economic conditions to Jeremy Corbyn.” STUC Youth Committee statement
Currently, a number of Labour Party MPs have urged leader Jeremy Corbyn to step down, with Angela Eagle and Owen Smith considering a challenge if he refuses.
Last week, more than 80 members of the Shadow Cabinet resigned following the sacking for former shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, after he told Corbyn that there was “widespread concern” about his leadership and his ability to win an election.
Benn added that in a telephone conversation with Cobyn that he had “lost confidence in his ability to lead the party, and he dismissed me”.
Brian Simpson from Unite said: “I hope that the PLP (parliamentary Labour party) fail in their attempt to overthrow Corbyn through the back door.
“I hope that the membership fully gets behind him – 65 per cent, 70 per cent or even more.
“I hope that they transform the Labour party, but the difference between the Scottish Labour party and the Westminster Labour party at the moment is massive.”
“I hope that the PLP (parliamentary Labour party) fail in their attempt to overthrow Corbyn through the back door. I hope that the membership fully gets behind him – 65 per cent, 70 per cent or even more.” Brian Simpson, Unite
With regard to the possibility of having a second independence, Simpson added: “I think that we cannot undermine what will be a lot of No voters that will change their minds because we are now out of the EU.”
The emergency motion was passed with an overwhelming majority of delegates who attended the STUC Youth Conference.
Picture courtesy of Tom Parnell
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