The Motherwell & Wishaw By-election

'The former First Minister was expected to step down as MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw constituency early next year in order to become Britain's High Commissioner to Malawi. But Mr McConnell, who narrowly held onto his seat with a majority of less than 6000 in last year's Holyrood elections, has drawn criticism for committing a U-turn. He has now indefinitely delayed taking up his new position - despite the fact the current High Commissioner is due to leave the post in January 2009.' Chris Black in the Wishaw Press, 30 th April 2008.

Jack McConnell under fire over delay in standing down

By Chris Black in the Wishaw Press 30 th April 2008

JACK McConnell has become involved in a war of words with the SNP - over his decision to delay stepping down as an MSP.

The former First Minister was expected to step down as MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw constituency early next year in order to become Britain's High Commissioner to Malawi.

But Mr McConnell, who narrowly held onto his seat with a majority of less than 6000 in last year's Holyrood elections, has drawn criticism for committing a U-turn.

He has now indefinitely delayed taking up his new position - despite the fact the current High Commissioner is due to leave the post in January 2009.

And the move has angered the SNP, who believe that Labour are merely holding off until a potentially troublesome by-election can be buried amid the fanfare of a general election. The Nationalists believe they hold the upper hand in Wishaw - and that the once-safe Labour stronghold would fall to them if a by-election is held soon.

Nationalist MSP for Central Scotland, Christina McKelvie, said: "Labour are running scared of a by-election in one of their strongest constituencies. That shows how much Scotland has changed in the last 12 months.

"Unless he is planning a leadership comeback, Jack McConnell is merely marking time in Holyrood until Gordon Brown has the courage to call an election.

"It is, frankly, unacceptable that our neutral diplomatic service should become politicised in this way."

Mr McConnell, however, was quick to deny the accusations and stressed that a temporary High Commissioner would help smooth the way for him becoming Britain's top diplomat in Malawi.

He said: "My starting date for becoming High Commissioner is in no way influenced by trying to pick a particular date for a by-election.

"Once again, the SNP are trying to create a political bandwagon to jump on because, if they understood anything about the diplomatic service, they would not make such ridiculous points.

"I will continue to fight for my constituents until the Foreign Office want me to start my new post.

"I will do all I can to protect this constituency from the actions of the SNP government.

"They are attempting to deprioritise Ravenscraig and have dropped support for regeneration of the town centre as well as killing off Wishaw's new health centre."

It is thought he may not now take up his new post until, potentially, as late as Spring 2010.

Christina McKelvie hit back at Labour's claims Wishaw and Motherwell did not feature high on the SNP government's list of priorities.

She said: "The SNP Government saved Monklands Hospital and Enterprise Minister Jim Mather is meeting with the Ravenscraig team soon to get the project moving.

"NHS Lanarkshire are pressing ahead with a £1 million refurbishment of Wishaw Health Centre in partnership with the Scottish Government.

"That refurbishment is part of the town centre regeneration programme, making a difference to the lives of people across Scotland and delivering on our manifesto commitments.

"During the election last year, Jack McConnell described Motherwell and Wishaw as a 'pigsty,' claiming that it hadn't been thought about in 20 years while Labour were in government locally and 10 years while Labour were in Government nationally.

"Labour are running scared of a by-election which would see the SNP take another seat from them."