World news – GB – STUC says voting on new independence should not be a « simple binary choice » of yes or no

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New vote on Scottish independence should not be a « simple binary option » between « yes » and « no », according to the Scottish Trade Union Congress.

Speaking to the annual STUC conference, which is taking place online, Secretary General Rose Foyer said people should be given the « greatest possible choice » about the country’s future..

Foyer said STUC will continue to « engage in the evolving debate over the Constitution of Scotland ».

She stressed that this includes « the right of the people of Scotland to determine their constitutional course, including the holding of another referendum on independence, if this is their wish. ».

The Secretary-General added: « If Brexit teaches us anything, it is that there is much more than a simple binary option, the devil will be in the details and the General Council supports giving the largest possible choice to the Scottish people, if the time comes for another referendum. ».  »

Foyer also used her rhetoric to criticize Westminster’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, accusing the UK government of « volatility in public safety, putting people’s lives and livelihoods at risk. ».

Foyer called for « people to recover » from the pandemic, and said that a « more equal and sustainable economy » could be created in its wake.

She said, « We have a lot to do, and there are huge challenges to be faced, but in our darkest moments let us remember that from the ashes of World War II, the British working classes built the NHS, decent housing and the welfare state that benefited and raised living standards for millions. ».

Likewise, from the ashes of this epidemic, we can grow roses from a more equal and sustainable economy, where all workers can get a more equitable share of our nation’s wealth..  »

She said the union movement is « fighting hard for a better future for our children, for a fairer and more equitable economy, greener industry, more high-quality jobs, investment in public services, and important state interventions to build a Scotland fit for a future. ».

Foyer said workers « can’t wait until after the referendum » to take action on jobs and the economy.

« Instead, we are facing a government in Westminster that has not done much too late to save tens of thousands of jobs, the major public health services that are being outsourced, and that have turned against public safety, putting lives and livelihoods at risk, » she added..

« While our government here in Scotland, despite all its talk of the renewable energy revolution, is unwilling to advocate for jobs at BiFab and unable to stop a public health scandal in our care services.  »

Last month, STUC said it would support a second independence referendum if a controversial indoor market bill passes against Hollywood’s wishes..

They said that if the UK government presses for a power grab, that « makes the issue of holding a second independence referendum unaccountable ».

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Scottish Trade Union Congress, Scotland, Trade Union, Scottish Government