Long-Bailey would not stand in way of indyref2 as PM

Labour leadership contender Rebecca Long-Bailey has indicated that she would not stand in the way of a Scottish independence referendum if she ever succeeded in becoming Prime Minister.

The MP for Salford and Eccles, who is hoping to replace Jeremy Corbyn as party leader, said she is “fully committed” to the union but believes that it would be for the people of Scotland to decide.

She said: “I’m fully committed to the union and I don’t think that should be shaken in any way, but ultimately the people of Scotland need to make the case.

“They’ve got their own Parliament to determine whether they want to push that and that will be for me as a prime minister to review and to look at.

“I wouldn’t want to inhibit the democracy of people because that’s one of the most fundamental pillars that we’re proud of in this country.”

The 40-year-old shadow business secretary also said she would abolish the House of Lords if she made it to Number 10 and would be unveiling a radical package of constitutional measures if she won the contest to succeed Corbyn.

She said: “I do want to abolish the House of Lords and we’ll be rolling out as my campaign progresses how we intend to really shake up that constitutional package,” she told Sky News.

There would need to be checks and balances in place, but to have a set of completely unelected people doing that I don’t think is right.”

Long-Bailey, who has long been seen as the favourite of the Labour left and secured the backing of the grassroots Momentum group on Saturday, also said she would work “very hard and very robustly” to tackle anti-Semitism in the party and she was unhappy at the way the issue had been dealt with.