Ian Murray speech to Labour Conference 2022

Speech by Ian Murray MP Labour’s Shadow Scotland Secretary

It’s a pleasure to speak to you today.

Everyone says how great Liverpool is, but coming from a Scot, you know I really mean it.

Because the connection between this incredible city and my country runs so deep – shared values, the same weather, and the feeling that a meal isn’t a meal without something that has been deep fried.

Even just walking around Liverpool, you could be mistaken for thinking you’re in Glasgow.

And for a guy born and bred in Edinburgh I think that’s a compliment.

Of course, the footballing success of this city has been in partnership with some fantastic Scots.

None more so than Bill Shankly, born in Ayrshire, but made at Liverpool FC.

Kenny Dalglish, and Alan Hansen, legends of the game - even the current Scotland national team captain.

Despite what Ally McGovern might say, there is another team in this city, especially with the Scottish internationalist heroes from the past like Alex Young and Nathan Patterson from today.

But there’s something else both Scotland and Liverpool have in common.

The desire to kick out this corrupt and out of touch Tory government.

Our Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her wonderful speech earlier spoke about the Tories disastrous record.

Her big announcement that Labour would fund the ACORN carbon capture and storage project in Scotland is absolutely transformative.

There are few better demonstrations of “just transition”, with 20,000 high quality jobs at its heart, than supporting this technology.

It is something the Tories have relegated to a reserve list.

And at the last Scottish conference, I called on the SNP government to use their own Just Transition Fund to support the cluster but all we got were warm words.

Instead, the SNP continue to be more interested in stoking grievance than storing carbon.

Conference, I want to touch on just one of the many ways in which the Tories are failing our country.

And that is by failing to protect its very existence.

Because the biggest threat to the Union today is not the SNP – it’s the Tories.

And what was Liz Truss’ first priority? Cutting bankers bonuses and huge tax cuts for the richest.

Her administration is the most unfair, unjust and divisive government in our lifetime.

When she was elected Tory Leader, Liz Truss tweeted she would hit the ground - promise delivered.

They give money to those that don’t need it and nothing to those that do  – paid for by those who can’t afford it rather than those who can.

So, it’s little wonder that many Scots see Westminster as beyond repair.

And make no mistake, the SNP thrive off of such disdain.

They don’t want to make devolution work.

They don’t want a Labour government.

Conference, let me be very clear – the SNP are not our friends – they exist for one reason only - to rip Scotland out of the UK.

And don’t forget, at the last election Nicola Sturgeon encouraged people in England to vote Green, not Labour.

So let me reiterate Keir’s message - No deals with the SNP.

None.

No, nay, never.

The only deal we want to make is directly with the Scottish people.

Our party was founded by a Scot.

Scotland has been integral to our movement.

That will never change.

Of course, we can’t resolve the imbalances in our country overnight.

There is a lot of work to do.

But it will be work that will be at the heart of the next Labour Government.

That’s why Keir Starmer asked Gordon Brown to oversee a commission into the UK’s future.

The commission is tasked with clearing up and clearing out the centre, so that the United Kingdom works for every part of it.

It will be a plan for reinvigorating economic devolution where we unleash the talents and contributions of all parts of the country. Growth for everyone, everywhere wherever you are.

Part of its purpose will not just try to convince Scotland to stay, but to make Britain such a good place to be that everyone, in all corners of our country, will want to be part of it.

I’m pleased to announce that Gordon Brown’s critical work is nearing completion and will be launched in the coming months.

Conference, let’s thank Gordon Brown in his own words ‘thanks for all you do’.

There is a clear message from this Labour Party to Scottish voters.

If you want rid of this Tory government then help us do it.

If you want a UK Government that works for Scotland then help us elect it.

If you want away from binary choice of separation versus the broken status quo then help us deliver it.

Over the last 18 months, the change that has taken place in Scottish Labour is remarkable, and unprecedented.

In the Scottish Parliament election, we overshot expectations and managed to prevent an SNP majority.

This May, we beat the Tories and got back into second place.

And I believe, at that election, Scotland will help elect a Labour government across the UK as we have done so with every Labour government since 1945.

At least then, I’ll have some friends on the train to London.

Conference, the person that has made that happen deserves every ounce of praise he receives.

He is the most popular politician in Scotland and is exposing the utterly deplorable record of Nicola Sturgeon every day. It’s my great pleasure to introduce my friend and the Leader of Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar.