Following the Labour Group in the Scottish Parliament’s meeting on Tuesday (6 May) their Convener, Duncan McNeil, said: “No one in the room had any complaints about the decision that has been taken and we are now in a position where, as a group, we will not vote down any Referendum Bill that comes into the Parliament. That’s the change in the Labour group’s position today.” Wendy Alexander told us “I was delighted that at the Labour group today not a single colleague advocated the position that we should walk into the lobbies and vote down Scotland’s right to choose.”

Previously Labour’s position was that it would oppose an attempt by Alex Salmond’s SNP to hold a referendum in 2010 on freeing Scotland from Westminster rule. Now their position is that it will all come down to “timescale” and “wording”. Some of them are even saying they will vote against a referendum bill. The Labour Group came out of a meeting today looking sullen and refused to answer direct questions. They have u-turned again. Guido will give a copy of the best book on how to win a referendum – “White Elephant – How the North East Said No“ – to anyone who can explain, definitively the Labour Party’s position on a Scottish referendum in less than 50 words. Answers in the comments please.