Jeremy Corbyn has delivered his clearest message yet on Scottish independence, declaring that if the people of Scotland want another referendum, “that is their choice, full stop”. Speaking in Dundee this afternoon, the former Labour leader told a packed hall that Westminster has no right to block the democratic will of the Scottish people.
The intervention, made at the founding conference of the new left-wing movement Your Party Scotland, instantly sent shockwaves through British politics and lit up social media north of the border.
Corbyn breaks decades of Labour caution on indyref2
Standing on stage at Bonar Hall in Dundee, Corbyn tore up the traditional Labour script.
“I’ve always had the position that if the people in Scotland and the Scottish organisations want a referendum to decide the future of Scotland, that is their choice,” he said to loud applause.
“It should not be determined by the UK Government in Westminster. We have to make that very, very clear indeed.”
For the first time since 2014, one of Britain’s most recognisable left-wing figures has unambiguously backed Scotland’s right to choose, regardless of what London says.
The comments mark a dramatic break from Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, which continues to insist there will be no second referendum under any circumstances.
Your Party Scotland votes to allow dual membership in historic move
Delegates at the two-day conference also made a bold decision that could reshape the Scottish left.
In a heated but ultimately decisive vote, members agreed to let people stay members of other political parties, including the SNP, Greens, Alba and even the Scottish Socialists.
The new constitution now reads: “No member will be denied membership of Your Party Scotland on the basis of membership of another political party.”
This makes Your Party the first significant political force in Britain to officially embrace dual membership, a move supporters say will build the broadest possible anti-establishment coalition.
One delegate told me afterwards: “We’re not asking people to leave their parties. We’re asking them to join us as well.”
Why Dundee, why now?
The choice of Dundee as the launch city was deliberate.
The city delivered one of the strongest Yes votes in 2014 (57.3%) and has since elected an SNP MP with massive majorities. Yet it also has deep Labour roots and growing frustration with both Holyrood and Westminster.
Corbyn received a rock-star welcome when he walked into Bonar Hall. Delegates from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and the Highlands cheered as he promised a new kind of politics “built from the grassroots up”.
Outside the hall, Yes supporters waved Saltires while others carried placards reading “Westminster doesn’t get to decide our future”.
The social media firestorm was instant
Within minutes of Corbyn’s speech, #ScotlandsChoice was trending across Scotland on X.
Former SNP MP Joanna Cherry posted: “Jeremy Corbyn just said what Keir Starmer is too scared to say. Respect.”
Alba’s Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh wrote: “Welcome to the right side of history, Jeremy.”
Even some Labour members broke cover. One anonymous Scottish Labour councillor texted me: “He’s saying what many of us think but can’t say out loud anymore.”
What happens next?
Your Party Scotland will now finalise its plans for the 2026 Holyrood elections. Early indications suggest they will stand candidates in every region, with a strong focus on working-class constituencies abandoned by Labour.
Corbyn did not confirm if he will stand himself, but sources close to the project say he is “seriously considering” a list seat in Glasgow or the West of Scotland.
One thing is certain: the constitutional question just got a lot louder.
Jeremy Corbyn has reminded everyone that for millions of people across Scotland, independence isn’t going away. And today in Dundee, he stood with them.
The message to Westminster was simple and direct: if Scotland wants to choose its own future, no one in London has the right to stop it.
What do you think? Is Corbyn right that Scotland alone should decide? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share this article using #ScotlandsChoice if you believe the people here should always have the final say.
