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Ed Balls denies Labour treats Scotland as a 'branch office' | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Shadow chancellor Ed Balls has rejected former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont's claim that the UK party treats Scotland like a "branch office". | Shadow chancellor Ed Balls has rejected former Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont's claim that the UK party treats Scotland like a "branch office". |
Mr Balls told the BBC: "We're a UK party but have a really vibrant and dynamic Labour party in Scotland." | Mr Balls told the BBC: "We're a UK party but have a really vibrant and dynamic Labour party in Scotland." |
Ms Lamont criticised the party's UK leadership when she resigned as leader, calling some Labour MPs "dinosaurs". | Ms Lamont criticised the party's UK leadership when she resigned as leader, calling some Labour MPs "dinosaurs". |
Mr Balls said: "I saw the remarks, I understand she's resigning and in those moments you say those kind of things." | Mr Balls said: "I saw the remarks, I understand she's resigning and in those moments you say those kind of things." |
He said Ms Lamont had done a "good job", but argued the the next leader needed to "stand up against the separatists and make the case for a fair Scotland". | He said Ms Lamont had done a "good job", but argued the the next leader needed to "stand up against the separatists and make the case for a fair Scotland". |
He added: "I think what people in Scotland want is a strong voice for Scotland in Scotland and in the UK, delivering in Holyrood and making sure the Scottish voice is heard loud and clear. | He added: "I think what people in Scotland want is a strong voice for Scotland in Scotland and in the UK, delivering in Holyrood and making sure the Scottish voice is heard loud and clear. |
"I'm confident the next Labour leader will do that." | "I'm confident the next Labour leader will do that." |
Ms Lamont has described some Labour MPs as "dinosaurs" who failed to recognise that "Scotland has changed forever" after September's referendum on independence. | Ms Lamont has described some Labour MPs as "dinosaurs" who failed to recognise that "Scotland has changed forever" after September's referendum on independence. |
"Scotland has chosen to remain in partnership with our neighbours in the UK," she added. | "Scotland has chosen to remain in partnership with our neighbours in the UK," she added. |
"But Scotland is distinct and colleagues must recognise that. | "But Scotland is distinct and colleagues must recognise that. |
"There is a danger of Scottish politics being between two sets of dinosaurs - the Nationalists who can't accept they were rejected by the people, and some colleagues at Westminster who think nothing has changed." | "There is a danger of Scottish politics being between two sets of dinosaurs - the Nationalists who can't accept they were rejected by the people, and some colleagues at Westminster who think nothing has changed." |
Several prominent MSPs including Kezia Dugdale, Jenny Marra and Jackie Baillie have ruled themselves out of the running for Scottish Labour leader, as has the acting leader, MP Anas Sarwar. | Several prominent MSPs including Kezia Dugdale, Jenny Marra and Jackie Baillie have ruled themselves out of the running for Scottish Labour leader, as has the acting leader, MP Anas Sarwar. |
Scottish Labour's health spokesman, MSP Neil Findlay, said he wanted former prime minister Gordon Brown to take over. | Scottish Labour's health spokesman, MSP Neil Findlay, said he wanted former prime minister Gordon Brown to take over. |
At Westminster, it is thought that shadow international development secretary Jim Murphy is the most likely candidate, although he has yet to declare his hand. | At Westminster, it is thought that shadow international development secretary Jim Murphy is the most likely candidate, although he has yet to declare his hand. |
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