Idea examined as part of Scottish Labour�s overhaul
A TOP businessman given the task of reforming Scottish Labour has suggested that the party's leader, Wendy Alexander, should attend Cabinet meetings of the UK government.
Patrick Macdonald, the former chief executive of John Menzies, has floated the idea as Labour prepares for far-reaching internal change.
He believes the reform could help bring the party closer together in the wake of Labour losing power in Holyrood to the SNP last May.
Macdonald, who got to know Alexander through the alumni association of the INSEAD business school in France, was hired as an unpaid adviser by the Paisley North MSP after she became Labour's Holyrood leader in September.
He has been asked to contribute to Scottish Labour's internal reform process by looking at the "resources required, capabilities necessary and the infrastructure to stay in touch with members and communicate with supporters".
The businessman has since had a series of meetings with senior Labour figures, which have focused on ideas for changing the party.
The Sunday Herald understands Macdonald has suggested that Alexander, despite being an MSP, could be allowed to attend UK Cabinet meetings in her role as Labour's Holyrood chief.
The idea is believed to have been floated in the context of keeping Scottish Labour abreast of developments in the UK government.
It is also geared towards easing the communication problems that have existed between MPs and MSPs since devolution. Alexander's brother, Douglas, sits in Cabinet as the secretary of state for international development.
In a similar vein, the Conservatives have long stated that their Scottish leader should have the right to attend UK Cabinet meetings.
A Scottish Labour source said: "Patrick raised it in the meetings he was organising as part of his review."
Macdonald is expected to issue his report into the party's future before Scottish Labour's conference in March.
Alexander's stewardship of Labour has been in suspension since November since she admitted accepting an impermissible campaign donation from Jersey-based businessman Paul Green.
The Electoral Commission is investigating whether Alexander, or any of her campaign team, should be punished for breaking the law.
The Labour leader is refusing to answer questions on what she knew of the Green donation, and when she was informed that legal problems existed regarding the cheque.
She has also consistently refused to say whether she has been interviewed under caution by the Commission.
Macdonald said: "The study is still a work in progress at this stage. I have really no comment to make on where we are at, or on any of the recommendations."
An SNP spokesman said: "Wendy Alexander is failing in the leadership of the Scottish opposition, so it hardly seems credible that she or London Labour would gain any benefit from her joining the UK Cabinet.
"Such an initiative would appear constitutionally questionable, but it may be interesting to see Wendy Alexander round the same table as Harriet Harman and Peter Hain both have been involved in rows over donations."
