Scotland was the birthplace of the 'common sense' school of philosophy, as well as the Labour party, and we are not about to throw the baby out with the bathwater by voting for separation from the rest of our partners in the United Kingdom.
The Scottish Labour case for maintaining our existing representation in the European Union in partnership with our neighbours in the UK remains strong.
Stated simply, Scottish Labour want the maximum representation – and strongest leverage – for the Scottish people within all political forums.
Our current position gives us the best of all worlds: representation in Edinburgh, London and Strasbourg. We have a parliament in Edinburgh to deal with particularly Scottish issues, we have MPs in Westminster to look after our interest in the United Kingdom and we have MEPs in Strasbourg to promote our position in the European Union – the largest single market in the world.
"Our current position gives us the best of all worlds: representation in Edinburgh, London and Strasbourg"
The Conservative party and government position on the EU is negative and ambiguous to say the least, with many Tory MPs remaining viscerally anti-European and threatening a referendum in the hope that the British people will vote to take us out of one of the most successful political unions there has ever been.
This causes confusion and uncertainty in Brussels with our partners and diminishes the UK government's bargaining power and ability to get the best for Britain and our people. I believe that the Scottish people have more sense than to fall for Tory myths and an anti-European stance.
The Scottish National party position is even more negative and confusing, and less helpful, than their Tory counterparts: as I said earlier, they want us to throw out the baby with the bathwater. The Nationalists somehow believe that the Scottish people would be better represented in Brussels at the council of ministers with fewer votes.
The UK, including Scotland, currently has 29 votes and is one of the major players in this powerful institution. Scotland on its own would only have seven votes or less and would have to wait till the bigger players, like the UK, Spain or Poland had made up their mind and then decide who to follow.
But that weak bargaining position would only come into being after Scotland had left the EU, applied to get back in and gone through all the protracted negotiations – a crazy strategy which could bring untold damage to our economy and social fabric – before we were admitted. And I clearly state that I believe we would be admitted – but at what cost?
On the positive side we have, with our English, Northern Irish and Welsh friends and neighbours, built a strong UK that punches above its weight in European and world affairs.
"We have, with our English, Northern Irish and Welsh friends and neighbours, built a strong UK that punches above its weight in European and world affairs"
The financial crash was for me an illustration and wake-up call, an acute reminder that the UK does not only let Scotland share in the rewards of working together, but also gives us protection from the, sometimes, volatile and aggressive outside world forces. We have the strength of the union around us.
Scotland's future remains firmly within the UK and with unbroken membership of the EU.
The Scottish parliament allows us to control key parts of Scottish society from a Scottish level, but I believe it is crucial that we continue to send MPs to Westminster and play a prominent role in shaping the policy and future of the UK. If it's not broke why fix it?