Why Keir Starmer was wrong to oppose Scottish independence now

 personal opinion:

I think Keir Starmer was wrong to voice opposition to Scottish Independence. There's no reason for Labour to mention it at this stage. I think it's coming from Claire Ainsley and I don't think she's the right person for the job.

The result will be to move what little support Labour has in Scotland to the SNP. Scots voted strongly to remain so there's bound to be a backlash of support for the SNP after Brexit. If I were a Scot living in Scotland I'd be an active member of the SNP at this time. And what will Scots think when they learn about the deal Gibraltar, who voted strongly to remain is getting compared to Scotland, who voted strongly to remain, being glued to Johnson's England. The EU might buy into the idea of a genuine freeport in Aberdeen or Clydeport, the British Ports Association (BPA) are calling for something similar*. A freeport has special tax, import and export arrangements with other countries as do Hong Kong or Singapore. Aberdeen could have freeport status within the EU and strong links to Scandinavia and Clydeport to Northern Ireland?

I think Keir Starmer could have said that Labour will open negotiations with the EU about a close long term relationship, perhaps similar to that of Ukraine when elected to government in 2024. He might also have said Scotland, that has historically had closer links to Europe than England should be given special status along with Northern Ireland. This might put the brakes on, or take the edge off the rush to deregulate that's coming our way.

The time for Labour to take a position on Scottish independence is when it becomes a live issue. I voted Starmer/Rayner and hate to say that I am disappointed in both of them.

Sorry...

*sunak pinched the freeport idea from BPA although sunak's version is plain daft.