It might not be a fashionable or popular view – but she's right

Published on Thursday 8 May 2008 22:31

IT IS not a popular view, but Wendy Alexander's U-turn is the right strategy. However, its execution has been less than impressive.

It is not fashionable to defend Wendy Alexander. And, in truth, the leader of the Labour Party in Scotland has not had an easy ride since she took over.

But credit where credit is due. Calling the SNP's bluff is not only a shrewd strategy, it is also (potentially) one which can bring the Labour Party back to its former position.

This is why. To win a referendum on independence, you need a large majority in advance of the poll. With support for independence below 45 per cent now, it is almost impossible for the SNP to win a referendum. A poll would result in a defeat for the SNP's position. With such a result, the SNP would be on the back foot.

Their raison d'tre is independence. Without this, their claim on government is void. By defeating the SNP in a referendum, Labour and the other unionist parties will be in a good position to return to power.

Of course, it is not clear if Ms Alexander considered all this. There is the impression she was making policy on the hoof. But that's what inspired politicians do. Winning requires risks.

Should she have consulted Gordon Brown? It might have been polite, but no more than that. Devolution means the Scottish Labour Party is independent of the party at Westminster.

Can she be criticised for her U-turn? Not at all. The history of referendums in the UK is the history of U-turns.

However, one criticism is valid. The execution of this policy leaves a lot to be desired. Mixed messages (especially from hapless Gordon Brown) have not made life easy for Ms Alexander and she herself has not been entirely clear. But the fact that Alex Salmond is calling for her resignation suggests the SNP's bluff has been called.

&#149 Matt Qvortrup is a professor at the Robert Gordon University and author of the book A Comparative Study of Referendums.