John McDonnell rules out trading Scottish independence referendum for SNP backing

John McDonnell has ruled out offering the Scottish National Party an independence referendum in a bid to win their backing for a Labour government.



Speaking to the Times about Labour's prospects in an election, the Shadow Chancellor said: "We wouldn't have a deal with other political parties."

"We believe we will win the next election with a handsome majority. If things go wrong and we're the largest party we'll form a minority government."

Nicola Sturgeon, first minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP, met with the Labour leadership last week - but Mr McDonnell said the meeting was not "dealing or treating or negotiating".

He said: "We were simply stating our position."

Mr McDonnell's recent comments come after he appeared to shift Labour's position on a second Brexit referendum, saying the party would "inevitably" back another vote if it cannot force a general election.

But the frontbencher refused to say how Labour would campaign in a second vote, telling the Times: "We will determine that as we go through.

"What we have been able to do effectively is to hold the party together on the basis that the whole aprty is engaged.

"We'll make sure there's a democratic process. What we are trying to do is make sure that at each step we are taking the party with us."