Michael Marra: Scotland is an 'absolute priority' for the Prime Minister

Michael Marra has defended the Prime Minister’s position on Scotland, despite him not attending his speech or ‘Scotland night’ at the UK Labour conference in Liverpool.

This comes after Mr Burnham sparked a frenzy in Scotland after saying Scotland was in “exactly the same” position as Northern Ireland when it came to an independence referendum. He was later forced to clarify that a second independence referendum remained “off limits”.

Mr Marra was asked by BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast if Mr Burnham does not understand Scotland - he said: “That’s not a perception I share.

“Scotland is absolutely a priority for him. He understands the crucial role Scotland plays in the UK and in our economy, and he wants the best for the people of Scotland.

“We will hear more about that this afternoon.

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“He is passionate about delivering for the people of Scotland, and we will see a lot more of him in Scotland in the coming months.”

When asked why he did not attend ‘Scotland night’ at the UK Labour conference, Mr Marra said he had “urgent business to attend to”, and after speaking with the Prime Minister he was “comfortable with his priorities”.

Mr Marra also said it is possible that Scotland may have a referendum on independence again in the future, but the SNP government needs to focus on the cost-of-living crisis and reforming public services.

He said: “There’s been lots of wilful misinterpretation from people [of Andy Burnham’s comments].

“I understand John Swinney is going to jump on that, but it has been good to get proper clarity that we are clear to the people of Scotland what our position is - we don’t want another referendum.

“We don’t believe there’s support for it, and that’s the comparison he was making with Northern Ireland - there’s not the support in Northern Ireland or Scotland either.

“I understand people are divided on the constitution 50-50 on being independent, and I respect those taking a position that’s different from my own, but even they don’t believe now is the time.

“They want a government focused on the cost-of-living crisis, improving public services and proper education reform - that’s where their priorities are, and that’s what the Prime Minister is saying too.”

Mr Marra added: “The SNP put up a motion last week which I think they believed was a ‘gotcha!’ moment on the right to choose.

“Of course we have the right to choose, we have chosen in the past and maybe in the future we will choose again.”

The new Scottish Labour leader also said he does not know the Prime Minister well, and will always put Scotland first when it comes to discussions with him.

Mr Marra said: “I’ve spent time over the last couple of days getting to know him.

“It’s been really positive and on a personal level we have a lot in common, but he is not a person I know well.

“So I have been clear from the outset that Scotland will come first, that’s my job, to make sure we get the best deal for Scotland in a UK that’s changing.”

Mr Burnham is due to give his conference speech in Liverpool on Tuesday.