SNP invites Burnham to Aberdeen conference during Scotland visit

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 14 Oct, 12:33 · Archive

The SNP has invited Prime Minister Andy Burnham to its Aberdeen conference as he visits Scotland on Friday.

The SNP has invited Prime Minister Andy Burnham to its conference in Aberdeen during his visit to Scotland on Friday. The party said Mr Burnham should attend its annual gathering at P&J Live and set out how Scots could be given an 'agreed legal process' to determine the country's constitutional future. The invitation appears designed to put pressure on the Prime Minister, as it costs the SNP little either way: if he declines, they can accuse him of avoiding the argument, and if he accepts, he faces questions on their stage during their conference.

Mr Burnham's visit is expected to focus on devolution and transferring powers from Holyrood to local communities. The trip will be his first major public visit to Scotland since becoming Prime Minister in July. An SNP Glasgow branch has separately tabled a motion for debate at the conference calling on Mr Burnham to start talks on handing over control of immigration, asylum and refugee policy to Scotland, arguing the country deserves 'a migration system which meets our distinct demographic and economic needs'.

The invitation follows comments Mr Burnham made in the Commons last month, when he appeared to suggest he was open to another independence referendum. He subsequently clarified that a fresh vote remained 'off limits', arguing there was no consensus for one. The SNP believe the exchange has reopened the question of who should ultimately decide Scotland's constitutional future. Mr Burnham defended the Union during his Labour conference speech in July, saying remarks by First Minister John Swinney claiming he would be the last prime minister of the United Kingdom had left him 'utterly determined to prove him wrong'.

How it is being reported

• SNP call for Andy Burnham to give Scotland control of asylum and immigration policySNP Glasgow branch calls for Scotland to control immigration, asylum and refugee policy, urging Andy Burnham talks.Glasgow Times · 14 Oct, 11:48
• Andy Burnham has been invited to SNP conference - but should he actually go?Andy Burnham has been invited to SNP conference during his Scotland visit, setting up an intriguing political dilemma over whether he should accept.The Herald · 13 Oct, 13:02
• Andy Burnham invited to SNP conference in Scotland amid independence rowThe SNP has invited Prime Minister Andy Burnham to its Aberdeen conference as the party presses him on Scotland’s constitutional future.The Herald · 13 Oct, 10:07

In this story: Andy Burnham · SNP · John Swinney · Scotland · Aberdeen · Holyrood

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