MEMO TO McCONNELL--LABOUR ISN'T SOCIALIST:

McConnell told: speed up reform (MURDO MACLEOD, 2/18/06, Scotland on Sunday)

A WHITEHALL minister has challenged the Scottish Executive to move faster on an English-style reform of public services, warning that voters will reject Labour unless areas such as health and education improve.

Writing in today's Scotland on Sunday, Jim Murphy - a Cabinet Office minister and the MP for East Renfrewshire - has said that Labour needs to have "zero tolerance" of failing services.

The comments are being seen in the party as a challenge to First Minister Jack McConnell to allow more reform of the public sector north of the Border. McConnell and his team have been seen as reluctant to embrace the kind of radical reform seen in England, such as foundation hospitals and trust schools.