On Tuesday 26th of September the MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane Keith Brown led a debate in the Scottish Parliament on his motion calling for employment law to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. (Motion S6M-10491)

In his speech, Keith referred to the Clackmannanshire miners strikes of the 1970’s and 80’s – stating that for too long it has been the case that successive UK Governments have been allowed to decide on the right of Scottish workers to take industrial action, and that the miners’ strike pardon from 2022 was an example of how Scotland can begin to right the historical wrongs perpetrated by the UK Government, and do things differently in future. 

The Scottish Labour Party’s manifesto for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election states on page 30 that “We support further devolution of powers to Scotland including borrowing and employment rights.”

However, the deputy leader of the UK Labour party has recently stated that Labour will not devolve employment law to Scotland if they win the next UK election – casting doubt on what the Labour party’s policy really is. 

Keith challenged the Labour MSPs to make clear what the policy of the Labour party actually is – though so far, not a single Labour MSP has signed Keith’s motion in support of the devolution of emploment law, despite this very policy being in their own election manifesto.

In the debate, Keith Brown MSP said: 

“This motion is important for all of Scotland, but especially for those areas where the history of industrial action runs deep, like my own constituency of Clackmannanshire and Dunblane.

“Clackmannanshire holds a significant place in the history of industrial action in Scotland, being one of the focal points of the miners strikes of the 1970’s and 80’s. We must never forget those who in their fight for fairer wages and safer working conditions, all too often found themselves to be the victim of the actions of particularly callous and uncaring UK Governments. 

“The memory of the Clackmannanshire strikes serves as a stark reminder of the challenges endured by workers before the creation of this Scottish Parliament, and I know that this history will resonate with many of you in this chamber, and in many communities across Scotland.

“The record of the Scottish Government collaborating with trade unions, rather than working against them, speaks for itself. The notable absence of any NHS strikes in Scotland over the past year, unlike in other UK nations, should not be dismissed – it is a clear indication that the Scottish Government’s approach of actively engaging with trade unions, works.

“Friends, the devolution of employment law, as called for in this motion, would allow us to take this constructive approach even further.

“It’s for this reason that an increasing number of trade unions from across the UK now back the devolution of employment law. I am proud to say that the UK-wide Trades Union Congress recently followed the Scottish Trades Union Congress in calling for employment law to be devolved to Scotland. 

“Now – given the fact that both Scottish and UK TUC’s stand behind the devolution of employment law, and the history of the Labour movement in Scotland in their support for workers and for devolution, I want to make known my feelings of utter dismay at the recent announcement from the deputy leader of the UK Labour party, that they have now scrapped the Labour Party’s previous commitment to devolving employment law.

“Working people from across Scotland deserve a clear answer from Scottish Labour on if they support the devolution of employment law, or if they would rather leave hard-working Scots at the mercy of future UK Governments – if you can’t trust them in opposition, you can’t trust them in Government.”