LabourList readers split over independent Scottish Labour Party

LabourList readers are torn on whether a break in the party would be a positive step for Labour in Scotland – and they want to ensure that rules are changed to make it easier to get rid of underperforming leaders in future.

Since Scottish Labour’s disastrous election result on May 7th, several figures have raised the possibilities of looser ties between UK and Scottish Labour – or even an independent Scottish Labour Party. Most recently, Jack Straw and Jamie Reed MP have raised the question of how the party operates in Scotland.

We asked readers whether there should be a separate Labour Party in Scotland, and the results were remarkably split. Those opposed to the move just edge it, with 47% against the idea, four points ahead of those in favour on 43%. One in ten said they did not know.

The Tories are mulling over plans to restrict what Scottish MPs can vote on, with their proposals for English Votes for English Laws (EVEL) legislation. While past surveys have shown that there is a healthy support for devolution measures with LabourList readers, there is a strong majority against restricting Scottish MPs voting rights, with 75% of those who voted coming out against the idea. Critics say that what is being proposed would create a two-tier system for Westminster members – but it still has the support of 16%, suggesting that there is still support for attempting to solve what has been dubbed ‘The English Question’.

Finally, the survey also found that there is strong support for party reforms that would make it easier for Labour to get rid of leaders. It is basically unprecedented for a Labour leader to be forced out against their will; current rules make toppling once in place almost impossible.

Ed Miliband’s consistently poor personal polling has raised questions about the level of implicit faith put in the leader by the rules – even when there was speculation of a coup last November, Miliband’s position looked in very little doubt.

Now, almost two thirds of LabourList readers who took part in this week’s survey are in favour of changing the rules, which would likely changing the mechanism to trigger a vote of no confidence. 61% agreed that it should be easier to get rid of a leader – and in Wednesday’s televised hustings, three of the leadership candidates agreed. Andy Burnham, Liz Kendall and Jeremy Corbyn all said, to various degrees, that it should be easier for the party to sack a serving leader.

However, this question left very few undecided, and 31% are opposed to changing the system currently in place.