Jeremy Corbyn says he would ‘open discussions’ with Nicola Sturgeon over a second Scottish independence referendum if he became PM
Labour leader said he would ‘listen very carefully to what the Scottish Parliament says’ despite his manifesto pledge
JEREMY Corbyn revealed yesterday he would open talks on a second Scottish independence referendum with the SNP if he defies huge odds and becomes Prime Minister on June 8.
Gifting the Tories an attack line just a day after Nicola Sturgeon raised the prospect of an alliance, the Labour leader said he would “listen very carefully” to what the Scottish Parliament had to say.
It came as Theresa May warned any “sweetheart deal” between Labour and the SNP would create a “government in chaos”.
On a visit to Scotland yesterday Mr Corbyn insisted he was fighting “to win” the election.
But in an interview with Bauer and Global radio stations he was pushed on what would happen if he ended up in Number 10.
Mr Corbyn was asked: “Theresa May says now is not the time for another independence referendum.
“You walk into Downing Street in a couple of weeks’ time, what do you say to Nicola Sturgeon?”
The Labour leader replied: “I’ll obviously open discussions with the Government in Scotland and listen very carefully to what the Scottish Parliament says.”
The Scottish Parliament has already voted – albeit narrowly - in favour of a second independence referendum.
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Last night Scots Tory boss Ruth Davidson blasted the Labour leader – vowing to fight for Scotland to stay in the Union.
She said: “Nicola Sturgeon has said she’d put Jeremy Corbyn into Number 10.
“Now Jeremy Corbyn says he is happy to ‘open discussions’ with her about a second referendum.
“Labour voters in Scotland now know that Jeremy Corbyn would sell them down the river. I will never fold against Nicola Sturgeon’s demand for a second referendum.”
Speaking a day after she promised to help Jeremy Corbyn get the keys to Downing Street, Nicola Sturgeon repeated her vow to help the Labour leader – despite branding him as not a “credible” PM.
Ms Sturgeon made clear that “if the arithmetic lends itself to a progressive alliance that can lock the Tories out of government, I would want the SNP to be part of that”.
The SNP leader told Sky News: “I’m going to launch a manifesto that will put forward SNP policies.
“If there is any chance of a progressive alliance that locks the Tories out I would want to get as much of the SNP manifesto implemented as possible.”
Labour said later Mr Corbyn would have discussions with SNP ministers “about all Scottish issues”.
A spokesman added: “Jeremy Corbyn and Scottish Labour have repeatedly said that a second independence referendum is both unwanted and unnecessary.
“Labour firmly opposes a second independence referendum.”