Barring disaster, Labour will win the 2024 General Election, helped to power by capturing a significant number of Scottish constituencies. But the last thing Labour can afford to do with its victory is take Scotland for granted.

The independence movement will stand ready to jump on Labour’s inability to materially deal with economic drift, systemic poverty, chronic low wages, earnings inequality, housing crisis and a Scotland bruised and resentful about energy policy and Brexit. Labour can’t afford to forget John Curtice’s numbers: the young overwhelmingly support independence. Winning in 2024 may be Labour’s last chance Scottish saloon.

Scotland urgently needs a plan that can help it build a 21st century economy. That means new infrastructure investment to better connect the Central........

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