DECISIONS

SCOTTISH Labour are on their knees after a shattering defeat. What’s the way back?

Here are five things they should do (but might not):

1. Adopt one member, one vote – an easy reform, giving equal value to every selection.

2. Re-open the list – bloodletting is due over candidate selection that gave no-hopers a Holyrood seat.

3. Hold open primaries – bring a pal to the selection party. A hit in the SNP referendum campaign, backed by Harman for the UK leadership.

4. Talk to trade unionists – ignore barons by all means but the trade union movement remains the heart of Labour. Most progressive policies in the UK started as union campaigns.

5. Embrace new Scotland – Scotland is a modern nation, bolted by terabytes not rivets. Stop talking about the past and offer the future. Five things not to do (but might): 1. Don’t look back in anger – history is in the rear-view mirror, the party could be too. Don’t blame Donald or blame Jim or blame anyone but yourself. Your opponents are in front, not behind. Get on with winning.

2. Don’t forget who won the referendum – high turnout was driven by middle-class voters saving the UK. Make an offer on aspiration, not just welfare.

3. Don’t separate from UK Labour – that buys into the nationalist narrative of Scotland being ”different”. Labour achieves by common endeavour, not by division.

4. Don’t deny reality – regaining voters’ trust is hard work. It takes time.

5. Don’t give up – against failing school and health standards.

Scotland needs a social democratic alternative to nationalism more than ever.