Michael Marra has demanded that Labour commit to rejoining the European Union in its next UK general election manifesto
In a speech at the University of Edinburgh, the new Scottish Labour leader said it was in "Scotland's interests, and in the interests of the whole United Kingdom, for the UK to rejoin the European Union".
"The UK should rejoin the European Union and Scottish Labour will work to make that happen," he told supporters.
"I don't pretend it will happen quickly. But I believe we should set it as a long-term objective for the UK, and that Scotland should lead the change in making that happen.
Poll: Scottish Labour would hold onto most of its MPs if PM promises to rejoin EU
John Curtice: Michael Marra's problem is that half of Scotland wants independence
'You are not to blame': Top MEP says Europe knows Brexit wasn't Scotland's fault
The intervention puts Scottish Labour ahead of its UK party and the UK Government, neither of which has rejoining as policy. Mr Marra acknowledged as much in his speech.
It comes on the day Mr Burnham's Cabinet meets to discuss the UK's EU reset, ahead of a summit in Brussels next Friday. Mr Burnham has reportedly told ministers it is not appropriate for them to advocate for specific options.
"Rejoining the EU is not the current policy of the UK Labour Party and not the current policy of the UK Government," Mr Marra said. "The UK Labour Party isn't there yet. This is a distinct Scottish Labour position."
Scottish Labour Leader Michael Marra gives his first major speech in Edinburgh (Image: Lesley Martin)
Speaking to journalists afterwards, Mr Marra was asked whether the Prime Minister had given the intervention his blessing.
He said he had spoken to Mr Burnham before the speech: "He understands that Scottish Labour is going to set out its own position on that and make clear what the priorities for Scotland are within that. It was a really positive conversation with Andy."
Pressed on whether he was flying a kite for Mr Burnham, he insisted the position was his own.
"This is genuinely the position of the Scottish Labour Party that I have arrived at, looking at the needs of Scotland and what best serves the interests of the country."
Mr Marra accepted he might not get his way, and rejoin might not be in the next manifesto.
"This is maybe not an argument I'm going to win. I'm absolutely aware of that. But the reality is I'm taking the stance that I think is best for Scotland and best for the outcome for our country, and that's what I want to put forward."
Mr Marra's new stance marks a sharp turn from his first weeks in the job. At Labour conference in Liverpool, he told Politico he did not believe there was a "realistic prospect" of the UK rejoining because of instability across Europe, and suggested it could be a generation away.
He told his Edinburgh audience he had been troubled by that answer ever since.
"The question was no longer what I thought would happen. It was what I thought should happen – and what was I going to do about it."
He stressed he did not expect a quick outcome.
"I don't pretend it will happen quickly. But I believe we should set it as a long-term objective for the UK, and that Scotland should lead the change in making that happen."
Asked afterwards for a timescale, he said: "This is a long-term project. I don't see this happening in the next two years or more."
Challenged on whether rejoining would require a referendum, Mr Marra said the mechanism was a…
