Former first minister Jack McConnell has called on Scottish Labour to embrace open debate on different ideas following the party's disastrous result in May's Holyrood election. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland on Monday, just hours before Andy Burnham was due to become prime minister, Lord McConnell said he hopes Burnham's rise will allow for a radical shake-up of the party in Scotland.
Labour's Electoral Setback
Scottish Labour dropped seats in the May election, falling to just 17 MSPs, making it the joint second-largest party in Scotland but prompting internal calls for a rethink. Lord McConnell, the last Labour first minister, stressed the need for a proper debate on the party's relationship with the UK party, its policy platform, ambitions, internal structure, and campaigning style.
Debate on Independence and Party Structure
When asked about a potential split from UK Labour, Lord McConnell said he likes the idea that Burnham will run a different kind of Labour Party in terms of debating ideas within and outside the party. He noted a small group of Scottish Labour figures, including recent election candidates, have been pushing for change. Rather than closing down that debate, as has happened under several recent leaders, McConnell argued it is important to allow these discussions to take place.
"I would strongly urge the leadership of the Scottish party – Douglas Alexander, Anas Sarwar, Jackie Baillie – I would urge them to open this debate up and to welcome the fact that people will want to make a contribution based on their experience in that recent election campaign with such a disappointing result," McConnell said.
Historical Context and Future Vision
McConnell pointed to Labour's performance in the 1992 general election in Scotland, where a massive review led to changes that improved the party's fortunes in 1997. He believes Burnham will create a political mood aimed at de-centralising power, saying: "I think he's much more confident in his skin than a lot of previous prime ministers have been. I think he will be pushing for people to take control, to seize the opportunities of decentralisation and devolution."
SNP Response
SNP MSP Kate Campbell criticised the situation, saying: "The fact Scottish Labour need permission from London Labour to change the structure of their own party sums it up – Scottish Labour answers to Westminster, the SNP answers to the people of Scotland." She added that the debate is perennial as long as Scottish Labour continues to deny the democratic right of the Scottish people to decide their own future.
