Labour MP thanks SNP for showing his party how to rule

Aug 24 2008

A LABOUR minister has thanked Alex Salmond for showing his party how to rule.

Westminster Transport Minister Tom Harris infuriated colleagues by claiming the SNP have "done them a favour". He said they proved a minority party could govern alone - unlike Labour when they teamed up with the Lib Dems.

The Glasgow South MP sparked the row with an explosive article on his website.

Harris said it was a mistake for Labour to have shared power at Holyrood from 1999 to 2007 with the Lib Dems, whose "policies were for sale on eBay".

He wrote: "Alex Salmond should have the gratitude of the Scottish Labour Party for establishing minority administrations can govern without a coalition partner.

"I wish Labour had learned this lesson while we had the chance.

"I was not convinced of the necessity of doing a deal with the Lib Dems."

But his comments were dismissed by Labour MSPs.

A senior figure said: "Too many MPs are out of touch.

"The coalitions in 1999 and 2003 were vital to get devolution working and achieve improvements."