Poles Apart

POLES APART

There is one thing that the SNP and Labour are poles (or should that be polls!) apart on and that is Independence. Labour, despite all the evidence to the contrary, continue to berate Scotland’s chances of becoming an independent prosperous nation, whilst the SNP would openly embrace it.

So much so, that they have indicated precisely when they would go to the Scottish people to ask them if they share the same vision. That referendum is pencilled in for 2010 and even the exact wording of it has been agreed.

Just the small matter of gaining a sufficient number of seats in the elections in a little over a month’s time to overtake Labour and become the largest party. However, the way every opinion poll is looking, this may be the easy bit. The hard bit might be to persuade a coalition partner to come on board.

What will happen to Jack McConnell if Alex Salmond does become First Minister? If last week was anything to go by, I wouldn’t look to any of my colleagues for help if I were him. Ironically, in an event to show how well Westminster and Holyrood was working together, Patricia Hewitt, a senior Labour figure, continued to get his name wrong. McDonald? McConnell? Scotland?

Never mind Jack! We still trust you. Well that is according to Margaret Curran MSP who told the Newsnight Scotland presenter last night that of course the Scottish electorate still trusted Jack. Well I trust that you will show up to a debate being hosted by STV for party leaders on Sunday, Jack. No excuses now.

However, I probably won’t be seeing Jack at the Independence First march tomorrow, given his antiquated views on independence. However, I will be there at 12.30 to lend my voice for the campaign to have a say on our future. Another person due to be there and perform his song "Caledonia" is Dougie MacLean.

Hopefully it will be a good day and you can discuss this and a lot more at Our Scotland.