Labour needs to leave tribal west behind

Once again, Scottish Labour reverts to a tribal negativism, through its reluctance to work constructively with the SNP in Holyrood to legislate against Scotland’s ills (your report, 7 October)

Before the May election, it was the issue of alcohol pricing. Today, it is the proposed anti-sectarian legislation. In both cases, Labour professes support for the end result, but there is always some barrier to supporting the legislation itself, legislation supported by the authorities most involved in tackling the problems. Labour’s actions are all the more disappointing, given that on Wednesday, the government was willing to support a Labour amendment which could provide a united Scottish front in opposition to the Westminster coalition’s so-called welfare reforms.

Sectarianism may not be confined to the Old Firm, but it is seen around Glasgow at its most blatant and destructive. Concerns over the proposed legislation have recently been voiced both by Bishop Tartaglia of Paisley and the Nil By Mouth organisation, itself founded after the sickening sectarian murder of a Celtic supporter.

Labour’s quibbling over legislation still at the committee stage, without submitting substantial and acceptable improving amendments, looks very like posturing for a mainly Celtic/Catholic support, particularly after the bishop’s attack on the SNP government’s proposed legislation on gay marriage.

Labour must get away from its tribal west-of-Scotland mindsets and preoccupations. As a start, it should ditch its token proposal to set up a “media base” in Edinburgh and, like the other parties, ensure that its full operational HQ moves to the capital, the site of the Parliament.

Scottish Labour must be seen to be a party for all Scots, if it hopes to have any success in restoring its once proud position as the national party of Scotland.

Michael CB McGregor

Liberton

Edinburgh