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Scottish Labour's Dugdale pledges to work 'tirelessly' for union Scottish Labour's Dugdale pledges to work 'tirelessly' for union
(35 minutes later)
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has pledged to work tirelessly in support of the union if there were to be a second independence referendum.Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has pledged to work tirelessly in support of the union if there were to be a second independence referendum.
She made her promise during a speech to her party conference.She made her promise during a speech to her party conference.
Ms Dugdale said that the country still bore the scars of the September 2014 vote.Ms Dugdale said that the country still bore the scars of the September 2014 vote.
Earlier, the Perth gathering heard UK Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson talk of his "huge disappointment" at not winning the Stoke by-election.Earlier, the Perth gathering heard UK Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson talk of his "huge disappointment" at not winning the Stoke by-election.
Ms Dugdale has reaffirmed her party's opposition to a second referendum.Ms Dugdale has reaffirmed her party's opposition to a second referendum.
She added that she was ready to "step up and make the case for the union" once again, if the SNP broke its vow to not hold another contest.She added that she was ready to "step up and make the case for the union" once again, if the SNP broke its vow to not hold another contest.
The MSP argued that Labour's "historic values can endure even under this greatest threat" and that it will "always put the people of this country first".The MSP argued that Labour's "historic values can endure even under this greatest threat" and that it will "always put the people of this country first".
'Time Sturgeon changed her tune''Time Sturgeon changed her tune'
Ms Dugdale's speech comes a day after the party adopted a policy in favour of a federal UK.Ms Dugdale's speech comes a day after the party adopted a policy in favour of a federal UK.
She added: "The Labour Party I lead will never support independence.She added: "The Labour Party I lead will never support independence.
"It's not an escape from Tory rule, it's not an escape from Brexit, it's not an alternative, it's the same old song that the SNP has been singing for decades."It's not an escape from Tory rule, it's not an escape from Brexit, it's not an alternative, it's the same old song that the SNP has been singing for decades.
"It's time Nicola Sturgeon changed her tune."It's time Nicola Sturgeon changed her tune.
"I want the first minister of Scotland to focus on the Scottish NHS, on our economy and on our schools. I don't want a first minister whose priority is the constitution.""I want the first minister of Scotland to focus on the Scottish NHS, on our economy and on our schools. I don't want a first minister whose priority is the constitution."
Ahead of Ms Dugdale's speech, Mr Watson told members gathered: "All of us with leadership roles in the Labour Party need to have a long hard look at ourselves at what's not working. Seven years into a Tory government we should not be facing questions about whether we can retain seats we already hold.Ahead of Ms Dugdale's speech, Mr Watson told members gathered: "All of us with leadership roles in the Labour Party need to have a long hard look at ourselves at what's not working. Seven years into a Tory government we should not be facing questions about whether we can retain seats we already hold.
"Our job at the next general election is to gain over 100 seats - keeping what we have is supposed to be the easy bit and here in Scotland you have seen what happened when Labour's long standing supporters stop voting Labour."Our job at the next general election is to gain over 100 seats - keeping what we have is supposed to be the easy bit and here in Scotland you have seen what happened when Labour's long standing supporters stop voting Labour.
"We cannot afford to have that happening in England too.""We cannot afford to have that happening in England too."
Analysis
By BBC Scotland political reporter Philip Sim
Day two of the Scottish Labour conference, and again the constitution has been top of the agenda in Perth.
Sadiq Khan was flown in, ostensibly to introduce Kezia Dugdale's speech and underline the "Together We're Stronger" theme of unity.
But thanks to a row over the London Mayor's speech, he ended up rather overshadowing the woman he said will lead Labour back into power in Scotland.
And for all that Mr Khan's (ultimately caveated) remarks directed the focus onto the constitutional matters which Labour would rather not see dominate the debate, Ms Dugdale's big speech mostly followed the same path.
There were efforts to get some domestic issues on the table, such as a proposal to top up child benefits.
But time and again, the topic swung back to the SNP and independence.
By far the biggest cheer of the speech was for Ms Dugdale's assertion that under her leadership, Labour would "never" support separation.
Perhaps this is an area the party feel they need to shore up ahead of May's council elections, reflecting on the (relative) success of the Tories playing the Union card time and again in 2016.
Or perhaps it's a reaction to the increasingly polarised political date of late.
Either way, Ms Dugdale has gone out of her way to make sure her colours are seen as being firmly nailed to the mast of the United Kingdom.