The leader of the UK’s largest trade union has clarified his neutrality in the independence debate, stating the organisation’s eventual position will be a matter for its Scottish membership.
Unite general secretary Len McCuskey said the union was focused on the social and economic issues that Scotland will face, whatever its relationship with the rest of the UK.
His comments come after the SNP suggested Mr McCluskey was “warming to the case for a yes vote”.
The trade unionist was quoted as saying: “There’s no doubt at the moment that there’s a perception in some people’s eye, and in many of our own members’, that the SNP are a more radical party than Labour.”
In a statement from Unite, he said: “I have always been absolutely clear that the question of Scotland’s future is one for the Scottish people alone. I don’t have a vote and I don’t seek one.
“Currently, the position of Unite Scotland and the wider Scottish trade union movement is to remain neutral on the referendum issue, but to focus debate on the pressing social and economic issues that Scotland will face, whatever its relationship with the rest of the UK.”
Christina McKelvie MSP, convener of the SNP parliamentary trade union group, said: “Len McCluskey’s open-minded views on the forthcoming referendum are very welcome and will be of interest to many trade union members across Scotland as they decide how to vote next year.”