Purnell quote has staggering implications for Wendy

09/05/2008

Below is a transcript of the letter that David Mundell MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, has today sent to Rt Hon Des Browne MP, Secretary of State for Scotland.

Dear Des,

I was surprised to learn that you have refused to appear on Newsnight Scotland each night this week to explain your and your Government's position on an independence referendum.

Given the obvious schism which exists between the Prime Minister and his leader in the Scottish Parliament, Wendy Alexander over the issue it is extraordinary that in your role as Secretary of State for Scotland your voice has not been heard.

On Question Time on Thursday evening, your Cabinet colleague James Purnell said:

“It's for us at the United Kingdom level, the Westminster Parliament, [to say] do we want to bring forward a referendum? No, because we believe in the Union."

Is this official Government policy? The implication for Wendy Alexander and her MSP colleagues who are giving blanket support to a referendum is staggering.

Finally, for the record, can you confirm that when the PM says that he will "review the progress" of the Calman Commission "before making any further decisions" on a referendum this in effect means a timescale of late 2009, if Labour even decides that it finally wants a referendum at all”. Is that what "bring it on" means?

As you will be aware, it is being reported that Labour politicians and spokesmen at Holyrood are claiming that Gordon Brown "bottled it", having initially agreed to support Ms. Alexander but then backing down at PMQs on Wednesday. Indeed, Scottish Labour had promised a supportive statement from Number 10 on Tuesday evening. None was issued.

Last Friday, the Prime Minister told as that he would “listen” as well as a “lead”. On Sunday, Wendy Alexander started saying publicly that a referendum should be set in train immediately. The fact that, at PMQs, Gordon Brown then denied that she had said any such thing, makes it clear that he does not even listen to his own party; the fact that Ms. Alexander has continued, since then, to keep saying the same thing makes it clear that he does not lead it either.

I look forward to your reply.

David Mundell MP