Jack McConnell concedes on Scottish Independence!

The Labour First Minister of Scotland, Jack McConnell has conceded that Scotland could survive after independence. This is a remarkable about turn from Mr McConnell who has been trying desperately to pour cold water on the idea ever since he became First Minister following the political demise of Henry McLeish.

On the Scottish Television "Politics Now" show Mr McConnell said:

"The biggest problem with independence is the journey there. I think it's a debatable issue about the condition of an independent Scotland because it would depend on the kind of government that voters elected."

This is an important concession because he is the first major Labour figure to achnowledge that Independence doesn't necessarily mean doom and gloom for Scotland.

What does this do to the picture in the run up to the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections? Well it gives the Scottish National Party a major boost for a start. They are now going into the election with the main plank of their campaign effectively endorsed by one of their major opponents.

A buoyant Alex Salmond, SNP Leader commented:

"He is conceding the principle of independence. Now he is reduced to debating the process. His choices of words on the issue of independence are identical to those used by the Tories on devolution for Scotland and we now know how wrong they were."

You have to wonder what Jack McConnell was thinking. Was he even thinking at all? This is sure to upset his political masters in London and put a strain on the relationship between Scottish Labour and the UK party as a whole.

Was this a desperate gamble in the hope of persuading voters who are pro independence to vote Labour? It seems that every time he opens his mouth he helps the SNP at the moment. The elections surely can't come quick enough for him. I suspect that they can't come quick enough for the SNP either who must be eyeing the forthcoming results with some interest.