Former First Minister Henry McLeish will argue that the referendum on Scottish independence could be a catalyst for a better union when he speaks in Kirkcaldy on St Andrew’s Day.
The next in the Fife Talks series ahead of the vote on September 18 will see Mr McLeish make a rallying call for unionists to join together in a more positive campaign.
Ahead of the event, which will be chaired by Lindsay Roy MP, Mr McLeish told The Courier the referendum presented a unique opportunity to plan a better vision for Scotland within the union.
“Most Scots actually want to stay within the union but want bigger representation for their country,” he said.
“What Scots want is not so much Better Together or independence, but a better tomorrow. There is a positive role for Labour. I’m saying that Labour should take ownership of the campaign.”
Mr McLeish said Liberal Democrats north of the border had an important role to play.
“Of all the three unionist parties, Labour is in the best position to influence the outcome on September 18,” he said.
“I would like to see an alliance between the Liberal Democrats and Labour in Scotland, not just to take ownership of the No campaign but to give it a much more positive purpose.
“I believe that the union itself has got to change. I think Scots would be best served by a transitional period in which both the union and Scotland’s role within it changes.
“We have allowed the SNP to take ownership of everything Scottish our pride, our purpose, our patriotism and our flag. Politicians who share a view and a vision should get together for the benefit of Scotland.
“George Osborne and David Cameron are beginning to make the Mrs Thatcher era look much more benign in comparison to what they are currently doing.
“It’s not that Scotland is out of step with London, it’s London and Westminster that are out of step with the rest of Britain. I think Scotland is doing the rest of the UK a favour by leading in the issue.”
Local MP Gordon Brown will introduce Mr McLeish during the event, which takes place on Saturday in Kirkcaldy’s Templehall Community Centre and starts at 10am.
It will be the first Fife Talks meeting since the SNP published its White Paper.