Sir Keir Starmer says path to Labour victory ‘must run through Scotland’ in pitch to SNP voters
Sir Keir Starmer said the path to a Labour victory “must run through Scotland” as he urged SNP voters to put their faith in his party in the wake of Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation.
Delivering a keynote speech at the Scottish Labour conference in Edinburgh, the Opposition leader also ruled out a deal with whoever succeeds the outgoing first minister in order to win a majority at the next general election.
“I want to be prime minister for the UK, not just prime minister of the UK and that’s why I’ve always said the path to a Labour victory must run through Scotland,” he told members.
Scotland was considered a Labour stronghold before the rise of the SNP and Labour is seeking to bolster its support north of the border in the wake of Ms Sturgeon’s shock announcement last week.
Addressing those who “have given up on Labour”, Sir Keir said that the case for the union “has always rested on the solidarity of working people pushing Britain forward” and said that case “is becoming harder to make” because of issues like the cost of living crisis.
He said his party “must accept that for many Scots they look at Tory Britain and conclude the way out is the way forward”.
However, Sir Keir said the SNP are not in a position “to give the Tories any lectures on political responsibility”.
“Over 15 years in power and what do they have to show for it? It’s always somebody else’s fault. And the reason is simple.
“They’re not truly invested in Scotland’s success. Anything Scotland achieves within the UK is met with gritted teeth, seen as a roadblock to the one true goal.”
‘No deal under any circumstances’
Sir Keir said it is for this reason that “whatever happens in the coming months, my message is the same. No deal under any circumstances”.
Instead he stressed the importance of the party and its members earning back the trust of the Scottish people following its ill fortunes of the past decade.
He pledged more devolution to communities, saying “no similar country puts so much decision-making in the hands of so few people”.
“That leads to more inequality across our country than anywhere else in Europe – it’s no coincidence.”
Labour has been positioning itself as a government-in-waiting in recent months as it rides high in UK-wide polls.
Sir Keir’s speech is understood to have been hardened in its pitch to SNP voters following the resignation of Ms Sturgeon – Labour’s most fierce political opponent in Scotland.
But Diane Abbott, a veteran backbench Labour MP, tweeted: “A mystery why Keir Starmer thinks that Scottish voters are going to vote for his Labour party, a party well to the right of the SNP.”
Sir Keir acknowledged his party will not “change any hearts or minds by sitting back and watching a battle for power within the SNP”.
He urged party members to “reach out to people who are looking at politics with a fresh pair of eyes uncertain about what the future holds for Scotland”.
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He said: “Let us speak to them with one voice – let’s say, we know that Scotland needs change, we know our economy needs to work better for working people, that our public services need to be fixed, that climate change needs bold action, and that our political system needs a total overhaul, with communities finally in the driving seat.
“None of this – we believe – can be achieved through more division.
“But if you place your faith in Labour, this is the change we offer to you.”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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