Opinion
Henry McLeish
henrymcleish@holyrood.com
Time for reflection THE Holyrood recess will give
Labour MSPs a much needed break and time for deep reflection on the fragile condition of the Labour Party in Scotland. Radical thinking is needed on how a progressive left of centre party can be created which acknowledges the distinct nature of nationality, identity and constitutional change which now drive Holyrood politics. Already there are signs that renewal
and the urgency of the process are not being taken as seriously as they should. Many people who care deeply about the future of the Labour Party are not convinced that the current review measures up. It is worth shouting from the roof
tops that 5 May was not just another bad day at the polling station! Te election of the Labour Party leader and the passage of time since 5 May should not be used to obscure or delay the need for radical change. Recent suggestions about some new Unionist alliance being formed to campaign against independence only serves to show that Labour does not yet understand the problem and is not focused on the scale, complexity and urgency of the task ahead. Tere are far more important and urgent challenges facing Labour than lining up with the Conservatives. Tis should be avoided at all costs. Te Conservatives haven’t a clue about the constitutional future
of Scotland. Tey remain ambivalent, unconvincing and deeply split: between factions on the right supporting fiscal autonomy for economic reasons; senior figures who don’t support devolution in any form; those who believe the status quo is already a step too far; and a few people who see the benefit of some confederated system. Labour has to avoid being perceived of as facing a similar dilemma. Calman was a result of a compromise and was a way of getting the Labour Party out of some constitutional difficulties. Labour should be taking the lead on the future of Scotland with its own distinctive agenda, strategy and vision; creating an alternative to independence and reaching out to those who have shared views, including the Lib Dems who have traditionally argued the cause of federalism. Much of the press and media enjoy simplicity and sensationalism.
Tey will seek to promote the constitutional debate as a clear choice between two polarised extremes, independence and the status quo. Te reality is very different. Tere are other alternatives for Scotland’s future. Before Labour embarks on any notion of an anti-independence campaign there is a great deal of far more important work to be done including what an alternative might be. Tis seems the best starting point for a re-engagement with the constitutional question. Votes are crucial in any election or referendum but before then Labour has to work hard to win hearts and minds for any ideas it has. It has to be positive and be for something not always against. Independence is not the problem but a lack of an intelligent, credible and popular
alternative could be. Te party has to break through
a growing credibility gap opened up because of Labour’s relentless negativity and fear over questions that need to be asked. What does Labour stand for? It needs an ethical framework and philosophical basis to renew its mandate with the Scottish people. What does Labour offer Scotland in 2011? Te ideas of the public or common good, justice, fairness, self-worth and progressive politics have to be at the heart of our thinking. What is the purpose of the party? After a century of being the driving force behind the major achievements of this country, Labour needs a new and ambitious agenda for Scotland and indeed the
UK. Where are the new ideas and the vision for the 21st century? Scotland’s role in this new world is changing. It is not just a part of the UK but is an important nation within a UK, itself in desperate need of modernisation, and Europe. What lessons does Labour need to learn? It needs intellectual energy and stamina to reform the party and reconnect with the public. Labour has to recognise the difference between “identity and independence” and “nationality and nationalism”. Te party needs to embrace diversity and difference and to accept the constitutional status quo is no longer an option. Either the party embraces change or continues to be dragged along
on the constitutional coattails of the SNP. Tere should be no obstacle to Labour accepting the importance of “identity and nationality” as they are in sharp contrast to the SNP’s embrace and advocacy of “independence and nationalism”. For some, this may be subtle but it lies at the heart of Labour being able to define and articulate the difference between the two parties. Te outlines of a way forward for Labour seem obvious: create a
credible, distinctive, inclusive and autonomous Scottish party; come to terms with Scottishness – the pride, passion, patriotism and Saltire agenda – and embrace it; create a vision for Scotland distinct from Britain; define an intelligent, practical and popular alternative to independence in the form of federalism and fiscal autonomy; create a modern, and progressive left of centre policy platform to tackle the future and infuse this with ideas of justice, ethics, values and principles; redefine and reframe our message, updating the ideas and language; and ensure the party dramatically improves its organisational focus, campaigning and the use of new social media and electronic platforms. Te SNP has moved effortlessly – at least in their own minds – from
the Scottish National Party to the National Party of Scotland. Tis is where Labour should be, not necessarily in terms of the words used but certainly in terms of the spirit, sentiment, emotion and national psyche of Scotland. Labour should accept the challenge that has been laid down and put the summer to good use.
27 June 2011 Holyrood 71
“It needs intellectual energy and stamina to reform the party and reconnect with the public”
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