Lord McConell under fire for suggesting half of SNP voters are extremists

The former first minister was criticised for describing 50% of the party's supporters as "extreme nationalists" and said most Scots would "choke on their breakfast" at the imminent prospect of a second independence referendum.

His comments were made during an interview with the BBC this morning where he was asked about the resignation last week of Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard.

"I think people across Scotland will be choking on their breakfast you mentioning another referendum at this particular time. We've had a pandemic crisis that's been in our country now for 12 months," he said.

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Pressed that this might not be the case for the 57% of Scots, which the latest poll recorded support independence, Lord McConnell replied: "That's not the issue, the issue is whether they want a referendum or not and they want another referendum soon."

He went on to say that Labour were in an "ideal position" to offer something different from "extreme nationalism and extreme Unionism".

He said: "We have this polarised debate in Scotland which has divided our country for the best part of a decade with extreme nationalism on one side and extreme Unionism on the other and what Scotland wants is a government that can lead us out of this crisis, that will help rebuild our economy, improve our education service and make sure we are better prepared for any future pandemic than we were for this one."

Pressed on whether Labour needed to find a better stance on the constitutional issue, he added: "I estimate that about half of those people who currently either vote SNP or who might someday support independence are not extreme nationalists.

"They don't want this country polarised in the way it has been and they certainly don't want another referendum happening anytime soon."

SNP Holyrood candidate for Dumbarton Toni Giugliano hit back: "Insulting the electorate is a strange way to win back voters. Lord McConnell – from his privileged position in the House of Lords – should reflect on why Labour voters have left his party in droves.

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“Labour would rather have the Tories in Westminster harming our communities, than the chance to build a fairer Scotland with the full powers of independence.

“Not only is Labour working hand in glove with the Tories to stop an independence referendum – they voted for a shambolic Brexit deal which is already making Scotland poorer – it’s unforgivable.

“Scotland is tired of Labour politicians who make excuses for the Tories. I look forward to making the positive case for independence to the people of Dumbarton Constituency in the weeks and months ahead.” 

SNP MSP George Adam commented afterwards: "Voters don't want a Labour party that lines up behind Boris Johnson and this Tory Brexit that has already been a disaster for Scotland.  

"Unless Scottish Labour start listening to the majority Scots, who believe that decisions should be made by governments entirely elected in Scotland, they will continue to alienate even their own voters and remain consigned to political obscurity.”  

Chris McEleny, who has been pushing for a Plan B if Boris Johnson won't agree to a second independence referendum, said support for independence "is now normal".

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“This is a very disappointing intervention from Jack McConnell. Eighteen opinion polls in a row have said that a majority of Scots now believe Scotland should be an independent country.

"Of course, Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale has a conflict of interest as he won’t have his seat in the House of Lords anymore if Scotland were to become an independent country, but the reality is independence now normal. It is however an odd approach by the Labour Party to try win voters back by calling more than half the country extremists."

Last week a Savanta ComRes survey – the 18th in a row to record majority support for independence – showed that on the Holyrood constituency, voting intention shows more than half of likely voters will choose the SNP (53%) in May, with 19% opting for the Tories and 18% for Labour.

It also recorded that more than a third of 2019 Labour voters are now more likely to vote for the SNP in May because of the Scottish Government's response to the pandemic. A further 13% of Tory voters said likewise.

This is in contrast to just 14% of 2019 SNP voters who say they’re more likely to vote Labour in May, and just 8% of 2019 SNP voters who are more likely to vote Conservative.