Henry McLeish tells Labour to shape up to stop independence

Published on Sunday 26 June 2011 17:33

FORMER first minister Henry McLeish has warned of a "real danger" of a Yes vote for independence if Labour fails to "shape up" and offer a "credible alternative" to separatism.

Mr McLeish said a "form of independence" could win the backing of the electorate unless Labour backs an alternative to the SNP flagship policy by supporting full fiscal powers for the Scottish Parliament - a move he described as "devolution max".

The former Scottish Labour leader stepped into the row over separatism after the Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie warned that Scottish independence was a "real possibility" and that First Minister Alex Salmond may win a referendum by taking people "over the edge" before they knew it.

Mr McLeish warned Labour against a joint campaign with parties such as the Scottish Tories, which he said would not offer voters a real alternative to the independence campaign.

He said: "The problem is the lack of a credible alternative from Labour on this and the party needs to develop this opportunity through devolution max or full fiscal autonomy.

"There is no real desire for independence in Scotland but during the next five years the SNP government will seek to transform that situation.

"Labour must not link up with the Conservatives in a broad anti-independence campaign."