Labour for Independence

{{short description|Political organisation for Scottish Labour supporters}}

{{about|the Scottish Labour party faction|the Welsh Labour faction|Labour for an Independent Wales}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}{{Infobox organization

| name = Labour for Independence

| image = Labour for Independence logo.svg

| image_size = 200px

| image_border =

| formation = 2012

| leader_title = National organiser

| leader_name = Scott Abel

| key_people =

| focus = Scottish independence

| budget =

| num_staff =

| num_volunteers =

| website = {{URL|labourforscot.org/}} {{Dead link|date=July 2022}}

| footnotes =

}}

Labour for Independence (LFI) is a political organisation for Scottish Labour supporters who are in favour of Scottish independence. It claimed to have 2,000 members across Scotland in June 2014.{{cite news|last1=Brooks|first1=Cameron|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/scotland/257633/labour-urged-to-back-break-up-of-the-uk/|title=Labour urged to back break-up of the UK|date=16 June 2014|accessdate=17 June 2014|newspaper=Press and Journal|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082932/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/scotland/257633/labour-urged-to-back-break-up-of-the-uk/|url-status=live}} Following the September 2014 independence referendum its founder Allan Grogan joined the Scottish Socialist Party, while the organisation itself went inactive.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/labour-for-indy-founder-quits-and-joins-ssp.1413978379|title=Labour for Indy founder quits and joins SSP|date=22 October 2014|accessdate=15 January 2015|work=The Herald|location=Glasgow|archive-date=3 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103160130/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/labour-for-indy-founder-quits-and-joins-ssp.1413978379|url-status=live}} It relaunched in 2017 after the 2016 Brexit referendum and is now led by its national organiser Scott Abel.

Ideology

Labour for Independence claimed to adhere to Labour's "founding principles [...] of fairness, equality and justice" and sought to offer a vision of an independent Scotland for Labour supporters, in lieu of Scottish Labour doing so.{{cite web|url=http://www.labourforindy.com/#!our-vision/cfvg|title=Labour for Independence – Our Vision|accessdate=1 August 2013|archive-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801002841/http://www.labourforindy.com/#!our-vision/cfvg|url-status=live}} An opinion poll in March 2014, suggested that almost a quarter of Labour voters were planning to vote "Yes" in the referendum[http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/referendum-new-poll-puts-support-3236690 Referendum: New poll puts support for independence at highest level this year.. but Alex Salmond still facing huge task to win vote] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316131935/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/referendum-new-poll-puts-support-3236690 |date=16 March 2014 }} www.dailyrecord.co.uk, accessed 30 March 2014 The appeal of Labour for Independence had been attributed to frustration and disappointment felt by some Labour voters in Scotland during the New Labour era of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in the 1990s and 2000s including William McIlvanney.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/even-loyal-labour-voters-wont-1342221|title=Even loyal labour voters won't back No campaign|first=Joan|last=McAlpine|date=24 September 2012|access-date=29 March 2013|archive-date=30 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530194524/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/even-loyal-labour-voters-wont-1342221|url-status=live}}

History

= Formation =

Labour for Independence was established in 2012 by Allan Grogan, a dissatisfied Scottish Labour member from Angus.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/yes-scotland-wins-support-from-labour-rebel-group.18282942|title=Yes Scotland wins support from Labour rebel group|date=2012-07-30|accessdate=23 September 2013|archive-date=26 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926065957/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/yes-scotland-wins-support-from-labour-rebel-group.18282942|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-independence-labour-dismisses-rebellion-1-2439472|title=Scottish independence: Labour dismisses rebellion|date=2012-07-30|accessdate=23 September 2013|archive-date=23 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323232935/http://www.scotsman.com/news/scottish-independence-labour-dismisses-rebellion-1-2439472|url-status=live}} It initially consisted of a website and a Facebook group. In 2012, Grogan wrote on his website: "We need to show the Labour Party, the rest of the political parties and the media watching, that there is a genuine demand from Labour voters for independence". While the head of the Yes Scotland campaign welcomed the creation of a pro-independence group within the Labour Party, it was reported that Labour chiefs believed there was little support within party ranks for independence.

The group held its first public conference at Glasgow Caledonian University on 12 November 2012, in a meeting attended by around 100 party members, activists and supporters. Speakers at the event included former Labour MP, Dennis Canavan, Yes Scotland Chief Executive Blair Jenkins, Jeane Freeman from Women for Independence, Ravenscraig trade union leader Tommy Brennan, and Ricky Ross from Deacon Blue.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

= 2013 policy conference =

The group hosted a two-day policy conference in July 2013, which sought to suggest possible policies for a post-independence Scottish Labour Party. The conference was open to paid members only, who must be either existing members of the Labour Party or members of no party whatsoever.{{cite web|url=http://www.labourforindy.com/#!join/c5ph|title=Labour for Independence – Join|accessdate=27 July 2013|archive-date=1 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801002841/http://www.labourforindy.com/#!join/c5ph|url-status=live}} It was expected to have hosted 100 people. Policies adopted at the conference include complete opposition to the Trident nuclear weapons programme.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/labours-scottish-independence-group-call-for-trident-ban.1374938002|title=Labour's Scottish independence group calls for Trident ban|date=27 July 2013|accessdate=27 July 2013|archive-date=28 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828232810/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/labours-scottish-independence-group-call-for-trident-ban.1374938002|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://news.stv.tv/politics/234255-labour-for-independence-group-holds-first-conference-at-glasgow-stuc/|title=Labour pro-independence group holds first conference in Glasgow|date=27 July 2013|accessdate=27 July 2013|archive-date=28 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728230858/http://news.stv.tv/politics/234255-labour-for-independence-group-holds-first-conference-at-glasgow-stuc/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23472774|title=Scottish independence: Labour Yes group in Trident ban call|date=27 July 2013|accessdate=27 July 2013|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=29 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729230150/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23472774|url-status=live}}

= 2014 independence campaign =

Allan Grogan spoke at the March and Rally for Scottish Independence in September 2013,{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BprUBKW68w|title=EXCLUSIVE: Allan Grogan at the Scottish Independence Rally 2013|via=YouTube|access-date=23 September 2013|archive-date=23 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923205600/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BprUBKW68w&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}} at which a contingent of Labour for Independence supporters reportedly waved "red flags with a thistle in the upper hoist quarter".{{cite web |url=http://thetarge.co.uk/hub-current-affairs/scotland/thousands-march-for-scottish-independence-over-weekend/0104 |title=Thousands march for Scottish independence over weekend |date=23 September 2013 |accessdate=23 September 2013 |archive-date=25 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925042520/http://thetarge.co.uk/hub-current-affairs/scotland/thousands-march-for-scottish-independence-over-weekend/0104 |url-status=live }} After the referendum results were announced, Grogan left the Labour Party and stood down as LFI's co-convenor, claiming that Labour had moved to the right and that the success of the no vote would be "seen as an endorsement of the Scottish Labour Leadership and how they defer to their masters at Westminster".{{cite web|url=http://www.allangrogan.com/2014/09/throughout-my-campaigning-life-which.html|title=After 23 Years With a Heavy Heart|date=23 September 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025044113/http://www.allangrogan.com/2014/09/throughout-my-campaigning-life-which.html|archive-date=25 October 2014|accessdate=22 October 2014}} He joined the Scottish Socialist Party. Following the referendum, Labour for Independence went inactive, with The National describing it as having "all but disbanded".{{Cite news |last=Burns |first=Janice |date=10 January 2017 |title='Huge response' after Labour for Independence relaunches |url=https://www.thenational.scot/politics/15012076.huge-response-after-labour-for-independence-relaunches/ |access-date=30 March 2025 |work=The National}}

= Relaunch and later activity =

Labour for Independence relaunched in January 2017 after the 2016 Brexit referendum, with Scott Abel now serving as its national organiser.{{Cite news |last=Burns |first=Janice |date=6 January 2017 |title=Labour for Independence returns to launch major recruitment drive with Yes2 backing |url=https://www.thenational.scot/politics/15005816.labour-for-independence-returns-to-launch-major-recruitment-drive-with-yes2-backing/ |access-date=30 March 2025 |work=The National}} In response to the organisation's relaunch, a Scottish Labour spokesperson said the party's official position was to oppose independence as it would mean "billions of pounds of cuts that would hit the poorest in Scotland hardest", which it described as "austerity".

By 2020, Abel said there were "around 350" members of LFI in Scottish Labour, with more members of the party expressing their interest after the party's poor performance in the 2019 general election, which left it with only one MP in the entirety of Scotland.{{Cite news |last=Duffy |first=Judith |date=16 February 2020 |title=Yes Labour group back after being 'inundated' with enquiries |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/18238703.yes-labour-group-back-inundated-enquiries/ |access-date=30 March 2025 |work=The National}}

Controversy

In July 2013, Labour for Independence was branded as an "SNP front" by Anas Sarwar, deputy leader of Scottish Labour, who said that SNP politicians and supporters were "masquerading" as Labour supporters and giving a false impression about the campaign, though LFI founder Allan Grogan responded by stating: "There are many instances in which non-LFI volunteers were pictured around our banner. At no time have we ever claimed these people to be volunteers of LFI."{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23524348|title=Scottish Independence: Labour attacks LFI group|date=31 July 2013|accessdate=1 August 2013|publisher=BBC News|archive-date=3 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803035154/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23524348|url-status=live}}

In August 2013, the Sunday Herald reported that Celia Fitzgerald, an office-bearer within the group, had been an SNP activist since leaving Labour over the Iraq War. She rejoined Labour in 2012 with the aim of changing the party's stance towards the referendum.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/fresh-questions-raised-over-pro-independence-groups-labour-credentials.21774204|title=Fresh questions raised over pro-independence group's Labour credentials|date=4 August 2013|accessdate=4 August 2013|archive-date=7 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130807003001/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/fresh-questions-raised-over-pro-independence-groups-labour-credentials.21774204|url-status=live}} LFI leader Allan Grogan said he knew of examples of SNP members handing out LFI leaflets. He admitted only 40% of his group's 80 or so members are actually in the Labour Party. Grogan also said LFI had received initial financial support from Yes Scotland, regarding the £245 accommodation bill for the LFI's first conference.

In September 2015 the group was fined £1500 by the Electoral Commission after the group failed to submit a spending report for activity during the Scottish Referendum. The Commission considered this a serious breach of the rules for campaigners and warned that the fine would rise by 50% if Labour for Independence failed to pay it within 56 days, and then possible court action could follow. A previous breach of commission rules were cited for the action where the group failed to put an imprint on campaign leaflets.{{cite news|last1=Carrell|first1=Severin|title=Labour for Independence fined for breaking spending rules|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/15/labour-for-independence-scottish-referendum-fined-for-breaking-spending-rules|accessdate=12 October 2015|newspaper=The Guardian|archive-date=8 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151008225914/http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/15/labour-for-independence-scottish-referendum-fined-for-breaking-spending-rules|url-status=live}} The organisation was the only referendum campaigner that had failed to submit accounts.{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13738982.Yes_campaign_group_fined_for_serious_breach_of_referendum_rules/ |title=Yes campaign group fined for serious breach of referendum rules |first=Gardham |last=Magnus |work=The Herald |date=15 September 2015 |accessdate=16 September 2015 |archive-date=28 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028233203/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13738982.Yes_campaign_group_fined_for_serious_breach_of_referendum_rules/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/labour-for-independence-fined-for-breaking-spending-rules-1-3886939 |title=Labour for Independence fined for breaking spending rules |first=Whitaker |last=Andrew |work=The Scotsman |date=16 September 2015 |accessdate=25 July 2015 |archive-date=16 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916200304/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/top-stories/labour-for-independence-fined-for-breaking-spending-rules-1-3886939 |url-status=live }}