The SNP’s only contribution to the EU referendum campaign has been to snipe at negativity on both sides of the debate, says Scottish Labour’s leader.
Kezia Dugdale also warned of “populist nationalists” on both sides of the border as she referred to the “eerie echoes” of the 2014 independence referendum.
She was speaking at the launch of Labour In for Scotland in Edinburgh this morning alongside the party’s former UK leadership contender Alan Johnson.
Ms Dugdale lay down the gauntlet for the SNP to do more to build a positive case for the EU.
“If we believe that we are as a nation in Scotland more pro-European than our neighbours across the UK that puts a greater responsibility on us in Scotland to make a positive case for Europe,” she said.
“Actually I wish the SNP would do more of this because all I have heard them do so far is be negative about how negative the European campaign has been, rather than set out the arguments from their perspective about why we should remain as part of the European Union.
“I think that’s the challenge for the SNP with the strength of the public will that they have behind them to use that public will to make the case for Europe in Scotland and across the UK.”
She compared the Labour’s “internationalist” perspective with “civil war” in the Conservative cabinet and the “confusion of (Scottish) nationalists who argue we can share sovereignty with every European nation, except our nearest neighbours”.
Ms Dugdale, who made several references to her party’s “painful” defeat in the Holyrood election, said: “For those of us who campaigned in the Scottish referendum, many of the arguments from those campaigning for exiting the European Union are eerie echoes of those we heard two years ago from some of those campaigning to leave the UK Union.
“We defeated those arguments two years ago, but in doing so we learned that populist nationalists should never be underestimated.”
Nicola Sturgeon responded to Ms Dugdale’s comments on Twitter.
The SNP leader said: “Can’t Lab do anything anymore without having a go at the SNP? We’re already making positive case – hope they join us.”
Mr Johnson, who is the chairman of Labour In for Britain and gave Ms Dugdale’s leadership a strong backing, said Scotland has a “distinct case” to make as he dismissed the “bilge” arguments that the EU undermines national identity.
He added that leaving the EU means “more turmoil and uncertainty” adding: “It will fire the starting gun on a race to the bottom: a Britain of low wages, unsafe workplaces and a bonfire of workers’ rights.”
A recent Survation poll put the Remain vote in Scotland at 76%, while the Scottish Chambers of Commerce said 68% of business people would vote to stay in.
But Mr Johnson warned: “We can take nothing for granted, there can be no room for complacency in this campaign when so much is at stake. This is a once and for all decision.
“We will make our case in an emotional and powerful way because the consequences of this decision will outlast this generation of political leaders and impact so profoundly on our future.”
