Former Labour First Minister Henry McLeish has reiterated his support for a “devo-max” model of full fiscal autonomy.

The Times’ report that McLeish has urged his party to back greater financial powers, or a ‘devo-max’ option, for the Scottish Parliament in the referendum, has been welcomed today by the SNP.

McLeish has long been an open supporter of “devo max” and has written extensively on the issue in his Holyrood magazine columns.

In January 2010 McLeish wrote that Labour will need “a serious alternative to independence which moves them closer to a devo-max perspective.”

Then again in March last year he argued that voters want more, not less devolution; and said unionist parties in Scotland have a “real opportunity” to address the constitutional question and “evolve an intelligible and coherent alternative to independence”.

He explained: “This has to be a form of federalism. We need a solution for Scotland and not for any particular party; one that will secure all the practical benefits of independence while remaining within a UK union; will stop well short of independence as a political or constitutional reality; and offers the prospect of a radical reform of both Scotland and the Union.”

Progressive politics in Scotland should confront the SNP with a popular constitutional alternative, he said, adding that there are few in Scotland who still believe the current devolution settlement of the Scotland Act is an option. He argued that there are only two significant alternatives for constitutional change: devo max and independence.

“Devo-max represents an option which provides the maximum powers, some form of full fiscal responsibility and retains Scotland within the UK. Independence, in sharp contrast, transfers all powers to Scotland, with full fiscal autonomy and breaks completely the historic, constitutional and political link with the UK. There is now an opportunity for Westmin...

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