SCOTTISH Labour have a “big hill to climb” to win the next Holyrood election, the Scotland Secretary has said.
Ian Murray said Labour face challenges to win the next election in Scotland because of the “dire” economic situation, warning that the party cannot take Scottish votes for granted.
The Guardian reported that Murray (below) is set to speak at the upcoming Labour Party conference in Liverpool, where he will tell delegates that “the electorate in Scotland hasn’t come home” for Labour.
“They’ve lent us their vote ... to kick out the Tories and deliver the change that was in our manifesto,” he is expected to say.
“We need to show the electorate that we can deliver and that’s going to be tough between now and 2026.”
It comes amid the Labour Government’s decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for those not in receipt of benefits, which has subsequently meant the Scottish Government has been “left with no choice” but to do the same.
The move has been met negatively by voters, with recent polling by Ipsos between September 6 and 9 showing support for Starmer is dropping, with 46% of voters unfavourable towards him – his joint highest as Labour leader.
Yet Murray defended the decision, saying it was necessary as Labour had inherited “dire” public finances and a series of industrial crises, pointing towards the closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery.
'Independence is no longer a priority for either government'
Murray also said it was “drilled into everyone” in Keir Starmer’s Cabinet that winning the Scottish and Welsh devolved elections in 2026 was the “gateway” to a second Labour government at Westminster.
He said that Labour were fulfilling their manifesto pledge to work more closely with devolved governments such as through meetings with UK ministers and their Scottish counterparts, adding that Wes Streeting was “never off the phone” with Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray.
Murray argued that another reason for the improved relationship between the UK and Scottish governments is because securing independence is “no longer a priority”.
“Resetting the relationship is now much easier,” he said.
“That constitutional argument has been set aside. It’s no longer a priority for either government or the public.”
