Editorial: Northern meltdown

IT was often said during the referendum campaign that if Scotland votes “Yes” to independence it would be a disaster for the Labour Party. Well, as we all know Scotland voted No but it is still a disaster for Labour, north of the border. A new opinion poll suggests that Labour will go into meltdown in Scotland at the next general election retaining just four of their 40 seats. The Scottish National Party will be the clear overall winners, according to the poll, giving them a clear mandate to govern Scotland and even as SNP leader Alex Salmond threatens to  declare independence. Scotland is Labour territory, or was, and the only person who can save them is former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. And the writing is on the wall for Labour leader Ed Miliband who was unable to campaign even in Edinburgh during the referendum campaign. So what should Labour do? Well my answer is to ditch Miliband, find a new leader who can connect with the British public and also appoint Gordon Brown as leader of the Scottish Labour Party. There is plenty at stake. If the poll is to be believed then Labour has little chance of winning the general election next year and could even give the SNP greater firepower in their battle for independence. This is a battle Labour can´t shy away from. The Conservatives may lose a few seats at the expense of the United Kingdom Independence Party but Labour could suffer a massive defeat in what was safe territory. Time for change and fast.