Labour's Angela Rayner sets out opposition to second IndyRef

Rayner said it's 'not a possibility' that Labour would work with the SNP.

Labour’s Angela Rayner sets out opposition to second IndyRef STV News

Angela Rayner has said she is against Labour “going anywhere near” a second referendum on Scottish independence.

The party’s deputy leader insisted that the break-up of the union would not be the answer to the problems facing the UK.

Speaking during a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Rayner also ruled out the prospect of working with the SNP.

“It’s not a possibility that we would work with the SNP – we want to win a majority,” she said.

“I don’t think the people of Scotland should leave behind the people of Ashton-under-Lyne, either.

“The poverty that we face is the poverty they face and we both need a Labour government in order to make the changes that we need to make, whether that’s in Scotland or in England.”

Rayner told broadcaster Iain Dale that a Labour government at Westminster could “make all the difference”.

She said: “Respect is earned, it’s not given and I think we’ve been making progress to earn that respect.

“But I think breaking up the union is not the answer.

“Leaving us to perpetual Conservatism at Westminster is not very nice…but actually having a Labour government could make all the difference.”

The deputy Labour leader also outlined the importance of Scotland.

She added: “Scotland is absolutely key, it’s key to Manchester, it’s key to the whole of the United Kingdom.

“I’m against us going anywhere near a second referendum, if I’m honest.

“I think the Brexit referendum was enough for me.”