Kezia Dugdale is calling for Scotland’s relationship with the UK to be examined as part of a review of the constitutional set-up of the kingdom.
The Scottish Labour leader will give a speech today calling for a “new political settlement” after years of “erratic” devolution across the Union.
She will write to the Prime Minister to call for a People’s Constitutional Convention, which is mirrored on the Scottish version that steered the country towards getting its own parliament.
In a speech to the IPPR think-tank, she is expected to say: “The convention should bring together groups to deliberate on the future of our country and propose a way forward that strengthens the UK and establishes a new political settlement for the whole of our country. “
She is to say that it will for the first time “provide a coherent approach to answering the question of how our country is best governed”.
“While devolution has been positive for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, we have to acknowledge that progress has been erratic and while there has been significant progress in some parts of the UK, other parts have been left behind,” she will add.
Ms Dugdale has said she will oppose a second independence referendum until at least 2021 and is not likely to change her mind “any time soon”.
She has previously been accused of “flip-flopping” over her support for the Union.
Her deputy Alex Rowley wants to see Labour offer an alternative to independence, such as home rule or federalism.
