Letter: Positive advice for Scots Labour leader

She is understandably concerned that the broad public is becoming increasingly confused about terms such as devo-max, devo-plus and now, to use former First Minister Henry McLeish’s term, “devo-diversity”.

This is no excuse for failing to offer a positive vision to meet the challenge of the pending independence referendum.

It seems that she wants to react to events, only to call for more powers when they are deemed necessary.

She seems to want to resort to the old Labour mantras about redistribution of wealth, tackling child poverty, moving power and influence away from the south-east of England.

The trouble is the voters have already read this book. Labour has failed to deliver, not, I concede, for want of trying. It just hasn’t been imaginative enough about changing the tools and equipment for the job.

Even worse, it seems to be prepared to wait until after the referendum before changing its approach.

Leadership is partly about the ability to inspire others to goals they might not be committed to initially.

Ms Lamont’s challenge is, firstly, to avoid looking backward.

Secondly, the public needs to be absolutely clear about what kind of devolution she wants to reach. The actual label is unimportant.

She needs to convince her followers that this form of devolution is worth supporting now and not after the independence poll, whenever it is held.

Even in these very tough times the mood of the voters is not wholly negative.

They will respond to a vision about the constitutional future if they feel it is well thought out and meets their needs.

The last thing Johann Lamont and Labour need now is an outburst of negativity that will play right into First Minister Alex Salmond’s hands.

Bob Taylor

Shiel Court

Glenrothes