SNP must work with Burnham – but not on a 2014 rerun

The response from the SNP at what they see as the latest democratic outrage is as predictable.

It was never going to happen, despite SNP briefings that Keir Starmer had agreed to talks on a referendum. He had done no such thing. And Mr Burnham is not going to suddenly gamble on the country’s constitutional future either.

A source at Mr Burnham’s meeting with Scottish Labour MPs told The Scotsman: “He was very clear. He said he doesn’t support the use of referendums on any subject.

“He said they are always divisive and he won’t be looking at using that option. He said he is more about unifying.”

And so we have a firm idea of the new PM’s response when he ultimately meets with John Swinney on taking the keys to Downing Street.

We expect it unlikely that Mr Swinney will simply agree to disagree on this issue, but what we cannot have are more years of grievance politics, and constitutional wrangling.

There is an opportunity for a reset when Mr Burnham enters Downing Street, and not just for the UK Labour party. It is a chance for the Scottish Government to work effectively and collaboratively on a range of issues which are crucial to Scotland’s future.

Mr Burnham must be held to account on the future of the North Sea, and maximum pressure applied to support an industry which is fast disappearing along with tens of thousands of skilled jobs. Scottish ministers must work with their UK counterparts on a coherent energy strategy which sets Scotland up to take full advantage of the renewables revolution while ensuring the legacy industry is not thrown on the scrapheap.

On defence, Scotland sits on the frontline, and our industry must play a ley role in rearming in the face of growing threats.

There are indeed many things for Mr Burnham and Mr Swinney to talk about. A re-run of 2014 should not be one of them.