Hospital waiting lists up, college places cut, social care under strain, police cars held together by duct tape. Just a few stories in the Scottish media recently. And what has the reaction of the Scottish government been? A classic deflection tactic – let’s talk about a second independence referendum.

Despite the whoops of joy at the Scottish National party conference, Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement was, on the surface, merely a consultation on a bill that would ‘permit’ a referendum.

There is a view among commentators that Sturgeon is cautiously trying to keep her membership on side and will not ‘jump’ until she thinks she can win. Current polling suggests the Scottish people would vote as they did in 2014. But does this mean that we need not worry?

Scotland risks finding itself on a one-way journey with no return ticket. If the consultation document follows the Scottish government’s typical pattern it will be bland and about process rather than the fundamental issues. The outcome will swiftly be hailed to justify a bill going forward that, with Green party support, will almost certainly pass. Once we have a bill on the books, attention will turn to pressuring Westminster not to block it. Another ‘win/win’ for the SNP – obstruction from ‘London’ simply builds grievance, while meek agreement would open the door. By then, expectation will have been built up to a point that a date will have to be set.

There is no sign that the SNP has found any answers on the issues that led many people to vote ‘No’ in 2014 – particularly on the issue of currency. The fall in the oil price has made economic prospects even tougher now than they were there. The Brexit vote has enabled the SNP to focus on that as a reason for reopening the referendum debate, while sidestepping the unresolved hard questions.

All this presents a challenge for Scottish Labour. Focusing public and media debate on whether and when there should be a referendum means that even where our criticisms cut through, they are batted back as only being capable of solution through independence. It obscures the fact that increased fiscal powers (those already in place and those coming next spring) can allow us to tackle these issues from within the United Kingdom.

In May, Scottish Labour committed to a 50p top rate of tax for those earning more than £150,000, the proceeds from which would be invested Scotland’s schools and nurseries. We also pledged to set an income tax rate 1p higher than that set by the Conservative government in Westminster, so we could reduce cuts to local services. Between 2010 and 2015 the Tories cut Scotland’s block grant by almost 5 per cent. The SNP has cut local council funding by 11 per cent … Nine years of council tax freeze (a policy George Osborne enthusiastically copied) has brought local government in Scotland to its knees.

The SNP argue that they do not want to use the tax powers because ‘Scots should not have to pay twice for Tory austerity’. Yet at the last general election the SNP were committed to reducing the deficit, only in a slightly more gradual way – similar to Labour’s position. The SNP followed Labour in criticising the Tories for putting too much weight on expenditure cuts, and too little on tax. When the Tories reduced the top rate of tax, Labour made it clear that tax relief for the richest would not be our priority in government. The SNP used to agree. The real reason they refuse to use tax powers is that they fear it would undermine their case for independence.

Kezia Dugdale has stated that Scottish Labour will vote against a referendum bill. We need to continue to criticise the Scottish government’s failures – on hospital waiting lists, college places, social care and our under-resourced police service – and demonstrate that Scottish Labour has a radical alternative agenda government. It is paramount that our colleagues around the UK support us in this endeavour and do not flirt with the idea they can have a so-called ‘progressive alliance’ with the SNP.

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Sheila Gilmore is former member of parliament for Edinburgh East. She tweets @SheilaGilmore49

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