When those two Labour stalwarts, Charles Gray and Alex Mosson, came out in favour of independence, it was seen as a bit of a coup for the Yes camp, and treated as startling news by the media.
However, it's fair to suggest that perhaps their 'conversion' was not quite as dramatic as it appeared.
Former Glasgow Provost Mosson made the point well when he declared that independence is not, or should not be treated as, a party political matter. Once you accept that point, the whole debate takes on a different perspective.
What struck me most clearly listening to the speeches on Calton Hill at this year's rally for independence was that virtually every speaker espoused aspirations for an independent Scotland which could be most accurately termed as reflecting "Labour values".
For those Labour supporters prepared to look past party loyalty to the possibilities for an independent Scotland, there are some interesting questions to be asked.
A lifelong Labour supporting friend of mine opined at the time of the New Labour Project that there was no point having principles if you were never in a position to enact them. His take was that you did what was necessary to get into power and then you 'rediscovered' and put into place the policies you believed in.
It's not quite how it worked out in the Blair years, but it's an approach which now resurfaces for those who are committed to Labour values.
Nobody knows which party will form the first independent Scottish Government, nor even which parties will operate in the country after a Yes vote next September. However, it's fairly clear that the policies Scots voters will vote for would be different from those being followed by the current UK government, and far more in line with what are generally accepted to be "Labour values".
The UK Labour party finds itself needing to appeal to the 'middle ground of middle England' if it is to recapture crucial Westminster seats. This militates against the party in Scotland reflecting the views of the majority of its Scottish supporters in many traditional Labour policies, which explains a profile which is worryingly low, except in the area of attacking the SNP.
My friend's 'New Labour' strategy now re-appears. Biting the bullet and supporting Independence would give the Labour movement in Scotland a golden opportunity to help build the kind of society their party was founded to promote.
An independent Scotland should see a re-vitalised Scottish Labour party in a position to follow fully its policies for equality and community, rather than being in the current position of hoping for a UK Labour government brave enough to move leftward. The chance of a Scotland governed in a manner which reflects Labour values is on offer - if Labour supporters can 'do what is necessary to get full powers'.
Nobody should underestimate how difficult this shift in thinking can be for some Labour folk. The idea of support for fellow Labour voters in England is strong, and often based on the mistaken theory that Labour needs Scottish votes to form a UK Government. Ironically, my Labour pals in the north of England tell me that an independent Scotland to the north espousing true Labour values would be their best hope for a stronger party in England.
I don't doubt for a moment the sound principles of my Labour supporting friends in Scotland, I just feel that they need a better setting in which to enact them.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article