Serious thinking to be done

Sir, – One main weakness runs through former First Minister Henry McLeish’s view on how to polish up Labour’s role in the independence referendum debate (Courier, December 2).

He has already declared he is going to vote “no” anyway. In that sense he really missed an opportunity in his speech to Fife Talks in Kirkcaldy, to highlight a number of points.

A “no” vote might be certain rather than simply likely if Labour can produce a new scheme for devolution before next September. But it is unlikely to bring forward something exciting if its leaders Johann Lamont and Anas Sarwar are constantly looking over their shoulders to Ed Miliband in Westminster for a lead.

Mr McLeish might have said something, too, about the need for Westminster to produce some facts and figures about the consequences of staying with the Union. Its reluctance to do so may yet see public opinion sway towards “yes”.

People do not like being taken for granted and may see a negative approach from London as deeply insulting to the Scottish electorate.

People might sense, too, that after a “no” vote there might be a vengeful approach taken by the main parties in London in the form of reductions in public spending and lower living standards north of the border.

Mr McLeish is right in that Labour has a lot of thinking to do in the next few months. It may yet be out manouevred by a more visionary “yes” approach.

Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.