Labour’s new education spokesman Hugh Henry says he has no doubt Scotland can stand on its “own two feet” as an “independent country”.

In an interview with Holyrood, the MSP for Renfrewshire South said he was not afraid or hostile to the idea of independence.

However, he insisted there was no economic or social value in separating from the rest of the United Kingdom.

Henry said: “I hope we would win a referendum. Not because I’m particularly scared of independence or because I am hugely hostile to it. Scotland could stand on its own two feet as an independent country, I don’t doubt that.”

The 59-year-old also expressed frustration at the fact Scotland is under Tory rule at Westminster and lambasted Alex Salmond for calling it “their government”. “No, it’s actually our government,” said Henry. “I don’t happen to see the value of us separating from the rest of the United Kingdom.”

“I noticed the FM was trying to draw some parallels last week between what had happened in Ireland and Scotland’s current experience. In Ireland there was a history of oppression and discrimination which drove people towards seeking independence. “We don’t suffer in that way, so there’s not the same sense of grievance and injustice so the two are not directly comparable.”

He also voiced concern over the proposed introduction of Scottish Studies into the curriculum, saying it seemed “politically driven”. He said: “The devolution of this is interesting, because in the past, politicians have not been involved in the development of specific subjects in exams. It’s been left to the professionals. New subjects like modern studies evolved over a long period of time after thorough discussion.

“This one seems more politically driven. It hasn’t actually come from the teaching profession. I think we just need to be wary of politicians of whatever colour trying to overtly influence what is taught in our schools.“