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.

Labour and Tory Election Pact

With the Scottish Parliament election campaign hotting up for 2007 it looks as if Labour and the Conservatives may have shot themselves in the foot already. Annabel Goldie, leader of the Conservatives in Scotland has pledged that her party will prop up a minority Labour Government.

This would be a coalition in all but name. Even Brian Montieth, who was a Tory MSP until very recently has conceded that the only choice for the electorate at this election is between the status quo and the Scottish National Party.

This must be the first time we have seen such obvious polarisation along Unionist Vs Nationalist lines. The Labour Party have welcomed this pledge from the Conservatives so the choice at the elections comes down to either vote SNP or don't get any change. Given how low Jack McConnell's approval ratings are, this could amount to political suicide.

It's true that oppositions have a habit of becoming governments but the reality seems to have hit home for the Unionist parties and that is that the SNP only need to win once. Maybe this pact has actually brought it closer to happening.