The Prime Minister has ruled out another referendum on Scottish independence.
In an interview with STV’s political editor Colin Mackay, Andy Burnham insisted that a “clear resolution was reached” in 2014.
It comes after the First Minister John Swinney led a debate on the future of Scotland on Tuesday.
Speaking to STV News, Andy Burnham said: “I don’t think now is the time to go back to that debate.
“The cost of living is the issue affecting most Scots as it is the issue affecting most people across all parts.”
Pressed on whether he thought the people of Scotland didn’t have a right to vote again, Burnham said: “They have that right. But it was determined, the future was determined, I would say, for a generation.
He said as far as he could see “there is no clear consensus” for another referendum, adding: “The important thing is not to focus on something that would be a matter of huge division. The right thing to do is to focus on the cost of living.”
Burnham said he had invited Swinney to Number 10 North to discuss how the UK Government can help with further devolution.
“I support solidarity between the nations of the UK. I don’t support separation,” Burnham said. “So let me be absolutely plain unionist, I think Britain works better together.
“I don’t think now is the time for another referendum. I don’t think public opinion in Scotland supports that because there isn’t a clear consensus.”
Burnham claimed it would be “divisive” to take attention away from the cost of living crisis.
The Labour leader also insisted that he is committed to the reindustrialisation of Scotland.
Speaking about struggling Larbert bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis, Burnham said: “I went up there and I bought hundreds of buses there because I wanted to make sure we bought from British industry.
“I don’t think the Scottish Government did what I did. I think they went elsewhere, but I didn’t because I wanted to buy British.”
He added that he understood oil and gas industries in the North East needed support.
“They need my attention, and they will get it,” he said.
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