Labour Cant

I listened to a very silly debate in the Scottish Parliament before the summer recess - except it was really a debate but more of a slanging match which goes under the name of First Minister's Questions (FMQs).

The subject under discussion was Scottish independence and, more specifically, the wisdom of otherwise of Scotland having a lower rate of corporation tax than other parts of what is currently the UK.

Now I can see a very good reason for Scotland having a lower rate of corporation tax - whether as part of the UK or as an independent country.

Because there is a real problem with the south east of England and the London economy, in particular, drawing away most of the inward investment as it does now.

So whether it's a lower rate of corporation tax or some other device for giving Scotland a competitive advantage when it comes to inward investment - I think that's a good thing.

And such a policy would also benefit other areas or England, Wales and Northern Ireland - as well.

Back in the day this used to be known as 'Regional Policy' which might be a rude term to use nowadays - now that we are a 'nation' and have our very own Scottish Parliament albeit one with quite limited powers.

What I can't understand is why the Labour Party is so intent on talking these important issues down - when they are clearly relevant and important whether Scotland votes to become an independent country or not in 2014.

But then I can't understand why Johann Lamont - the Labour leader in Scotland - turns every FMQ session into a personal attack upon the First Minister's integrity when at least for some of the time he seems to me to be trying to do the right thing.

Opposition politics is one thing - but 'oppositional politics' is quite another and to my mind the relentlessly negative attitude of the Scottish Labour Party is holding Scotland back.