RIGHTWINGERS lost their battle to commit Scottish Labour to single market membership yesterday and took to heckling a young party activist.

Delegates at Scottish Labour’s conference voted in favour of a “unity statement” supporting Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit blueprint.

As a result, a constituency motion promoted by former Scottish leader Kezia Dugdale and MP Ian Murray, which would have committed Labour to off-the-shelf membership of the EU single market, fell.

Ms Dugdale advocated a second referendum as party leader, but her successor Richard Leonard insists that the vote to leave the EU must be respected.

Leftwingers claim that Scottish Labour’s old guard is opposing the party’s Brexit policy in order to undermine the new leadership.

In yesterday’s debate, Labour national executive committee member Rhea Wolfson, speaking on behalf of Almond Valley CLP, said: “We all stand to lose if Labour is sucked into posturing and division.”

Matt Kerr, of the Communication Workers Union, said: “If you choose to leave the EU, you choose to leave the single market and customs union.”

Dundee delegate Marc Winsland said: “I find it ironic that people in this room would lecture [SNP leader] Nicola Sturgeon on accepting a referendum result while rejecting one ourselves.”

He also argued that Labour should not fetishise the benefits of EU membership. “Just because Europe is our nearest horizon, it is not our summit,” he said.

“If Labour can create the NHS [and] negotiate a new social contract out of the literal ashes of a world war, I’m fairly sure we can navigate Brexit. Don’t let apprehension cloud our ambition.”

But Glasgow Anniesland delegate Paul Cruikshank argued that Labour’s manifesto pledges would not be impeded by single market membership, contrary to Mr Corbyn’s suggestion in his speech to the conference on Friday.

“That’s not me saying that. It’s the TUC saying that,” Mr Cruikshank added.

Na h-Eileanan an Iar delegate Donald MacKinnon concurred, saying: “Publicly owned utilities and transport are a part of life across the EU. We should not perpetuate these myths.”

Cunninghame South delegate Chris Rimicans noted the neoliberal nature of the EU trade deals with the US and Canada.

British Labour MEPs attracted criticism for seeking to amend TTIP and CETA rather than opposing them outright.

“I’m astounded these Labour MEPs supported these two outrageous trade deals,” Mr Rimicans said.

Scottish Labour MEP Catherine Stihler was then seen laughing and shouting at Mr Rimicans.

Speaking in the debate shortly after, Ms Stihler said: “I’m proud of the work Labour MEPs do in the European parliament and you should be too.” She argued that “there is no good Brexit.”

But Unison delegate Gordon McKay said: “The EU have never been the champions of socialism.”