The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
McLeish in Union warning
Former first minister Henry McLeish has warned it is “high noon” for the future of the UK, but said another referendum should not be held before the end of the decade.
The former Fife Labour MP appeared to back independence during a debate with other politicians on a podcast hosted by Brian Taylor.
On the show, Mr McLeish said he would support independence should the Union “fail to reform”.
Speaking with this paper, Mr McLeish said the time was not right for an early referendum on independence and if one was held soon it would be even more divisive than the Brexit vote.
He said: “If we had an early vote and the country voted to remain in the UK, then Boris Johnson would use it as a reason not to reform the country or the Union for the better.
“Equally, if the people decided to vote for independence, then it would have all the hallmarks of the Brexit vote and divide the country probably forever.”
Mr McLeish added he would want to see a “deeper, wider” debate on the future of Scotland and the four parts of the Union, but any vote should not be held for at least another five to 10 years.
He added: “Despite the impact of the SNP over the last 14 years, Scotland remains bitterly divided on its political and constitutional future.
“We need to work harder on how to build consensus. It does not have to be independence but it cannot be the status quo.
“The Union is not listening or moving and it seems Boris Johnson is attempting to dismantle the devolution settlement.
“He has no idea of four nation governance and treats Scotland with disrespect.
“If the SNP did not exist, the case for reforming the Union would still be there. This should not just be about Nicola Sturgeon against Boris Johnson.
“The debate should be about the future of Scotland. Since devolution was introduced we modernised, we improved legislation and moved forward.
“My worry now is we have stalled.
“It’s high noon for the Union. The question on independence will need settled, but my heartfelt wish is for bigger, better, deeper debate in the interest of democracy.”
A Scottish Conservative party spokesman said: “It’s just another senior Labour figure cosying up to the nationalists.”
Labour peer Lord George Foulkes added: “I have heard of rats leaving a sinking ship but I have never heard of rats joining a sinking ship.”
SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown MSP said: “More and more people in Scotland support an independent Scotland – so it’s welcome that Henry McLeish, one of the fathers of devolution, supports decisions about Scotland being taken by those who live here.
“Independence is normal, and Scotland only has to look to the successes of other small independent European nations like Ireland to consider the immense possibilities that lie ahead.”