Scotland needs more than constitutional change – it needs economic and social change too

Today in Scotland it appears that the only change on offer is constitutional change. Not change to the way the economy is run so that it serves everyone equally; not change to the banking system so that businesses get the support they need to grow and develop; not change in our social security system so that it helps those in need and gives a genuine hand up to those looking for support.

Rather, the debate on Scotland’s future is currently dominated by constitutional argument. Unfortunately, the social and economic changes we badly need are missing from the debate.

It’s a debate that is by-passing the reality of people’s lives. The cost of living is rising, household budgets are being squeezed, the value of wages is falling and working hours are being cut.

And yet little of this reality has so far permeated into the referendum debate. That must change.

Some argue that you cannot deliver social and economic change until, and only when, you have constitutional change but the truth is very different. The fact is that the big challenges we face in reducing poverty and inequality cannot be put on pause until after September 2014.

At a most basic level the SNP posit independence as the answer to every question. They are making the error of putting the constitutional settlement at the start, and the heart, of the process, seeing it as the silver bullet to all our country’s ills and woes.

It’s not surprising then they are using the extent of constitutional change as their only measure of success.

Scottish Labour has always been, and is, about so much more. For the Labour movement, the status quo is something we have never argued for, indeed it’s something we have always fought against. For us, the real measure of success is the extent of economic and social change and the positive impact it has on people’s lives.

That is why, no matter what side you are on, this is a change referendum. Not a choice between independence and the status quo, but a choice between two very different visions for the future of our country and our people.

So unlike the Nationalists, Labour will make a constitutional, economic and social offer, based on our values and relevant to the 21st Century Scotland and UK.

But values without ideas are meaningless. So ahead of the referendum we will set this out in more detail, demonstrating that we understand Scotland’s concerns, but more importantly that we have the right ideas to take Scotland and the UK forward.

How we deliver fairness in the tax system, ease pressure on squeezed household budgets, increase employment, make a difference to workers’ wages and deliver labour market reform that sees fairness in the workplace.

And I come at this debate with an open mind, but with a determination to have an argument about finding the best way to deliver social and economic justice.

Not to have an argument over which politicians have which powers in what building. Not, at its simplest, to have a debate over transferring powers from one group of politicians to another. That misses and ignores the economic and social change the country wants and needs.

Devolution is Scottish Labour’s success story, but our commitment to devolution is not about political expediency. It’s not a response to narrow nationalism. It’s about Scottish solutions to Scottish problems, within the framework of a United Kingdom that brings the benefits of solidarity to us all.

Now the easy approach for us would be to say; it is for those who want independence to pitch their offer and for those who support the status quo to respond. But Scottish Labour has never supported the status quo. As socialists we believe in creating a fairer more equal society. If constitutional change can help deliver that goal then we should embrace that opportunity.

That is why Scottish Labour is looking at detailed proposals through its Devolution Commission. Labour’s offer to Scotland must show how any additional new powers can be best used to create jobs, raise living standards and improve the quality of life for the many, not the few.

Not one Labour Party member I’ve ever met lists constitutional change as one of their reasons for joining the Labour Party. That’s what makes Labour different from the Nationalists. We see every debate, every choice, every election and this referendum as an opportunity to fight for fairness, equality and social justice.

So over the coming year we will continue to challenge the case for independence but alongside that we will demonstrate that a vote for Scotland to stay in the UK is also a vote to change Scotland and the UK.

Anas Sarwar is Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party