Labour urged to ‘see off SNP bully’

LABOUR must oppose moves to introduce so-called “Devo-Max”, one of the key contenders for the Scottish leader’s job has declared.

Glasgow South MP Tom Harris has said Labour must reject the plans, under which nearly all public spending would be raised from tax revenue collected north of the Border.

Harris says that if the party backed the proposals – which he describes as “Separation Lite” – it would effectively be admitting that devolution has “failed”. He also warns that Labour supporters of the plan are wrong to think that it will neuter the nationalist cause.

“Supporting Separatism Lite just because the SNP beat us in May is the equivalent of lying still and hoping that the school bully will get bored of kicking you. And as we all know, the only way to see off a bully is to stand up to him,” he argues.

Harris is one of three candidates for the post likely to stand for election, along with MSPs Ken MacIntosh and Johann Lamont. His comments help to clarify the battle-ground on the key issue of the constitution ahead of the leadership race and come as some Labour figures have privately begun discussions on whether to support further autonomy.

Harris insists: “Separation Lite is a purely political response to the ballot box in May and does nothing to address Scotland’s real needs. Why are so many people willing to give up on devolution?”