By Bridget Morris
A former Labour first minister has given his backing to the SNP government's consultation on Scotland's future constitutional set-up.
Henry McLeish said he welcomed the "open debate" under way with the national conversation, which enters its second phase this week. The consultation is being undertaken in line with the SNP administration's plans for a referendum on independence.
On Wednesday the first minister, Alex Salmond, will help launch the second stage of the consultation at Edinburgh University, claiming it is aimed at the "great institutions" of Scottish society.
Representatives from business organisations, trades unions, universities, colleges, the voluntary sector, professional bodies and church leaders will attend the launch.
McLeish said: "We need an open and inclusive conversation to discuss our future, one in which all the positive options are included - the current devolution settlement, more powers, independence and also a form of federalism.
"The key thing is that these ideas are debated in terms of how they will deliver a better quality of life for everyone living in Scotland - better health, housing, economic performance and education.
"I welcome that the process of open debate is under way with the national conversation, and look forward to the next phase developing with the prevailing mood of Scotland."
Last year, McLeish published a book on Scotland's future in which he hit out at the response from Labour's Scottish secretary Des Browne and the Scotland Office to the national conversation, claiming it showed how "out-of-touch Westminster is with the prevailing mood of Scotland". The national conversation website has had 314,000 hits, while the white paper has attracted 26,000 views.
Although the SNP government has said it plans to bring a referendum bill to parliament during this term, it is unlikely to get the go-ahead, with the unionist majority opposed to it. A constitutional commission backed by Labour, the LibDems and Tories to look at the devolution set-up is also under way, led by Labour leader Wendy Alexander.
Wednesday's event will also be attended by deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon and parliamentary business manager Bruce Crawford. Sturgeon said the country's civic institutions have "a critical role" in the shaping the nation's future and are "central" to the national conversation.
"In contrast, as the national conversation continues to gather pace embracing the views from all political parties and all sectors of society, the Labour Party's constitutional commission has effectively come to a standstill," she said.
"Not only has it been downgraded by Gordon Brown to a working party, not one single policy has been discussed or one single idea generated."
