Economic and constitutional chaos would follow a Scottish National Party victory at next year's elections, according to First Minister Jack McConnell.

He told the Labour Party conference in Blackpool that this would be the fall-out from a referendum on independence.

Labour's Scottish leader also fired the starting gun for next year's Holyrood elections by putting activists on a campaign footing.

Labour's priorities are the people's priorities

Jack McConnell

However, the SNP accused Mr McConnell of patronising the electorate and described him as "an ideas free zone".

The SNP kick-started its campaign for the May 2003 election at its conference in Inverness.

Leader John Swinney told delegates last week that the party would "reclaim the initiative" on the independence argument.

He signalled a new approach based on presenting Scotland as a "land of opportunity".

However, Mr McConnell warned Labour activists about the dangers of an SNP victory on Monday.

'Constitutional wrangling'

"The people of Scotland must be under no illusions, Nationalist votes next May lead immediately to a summer of constitutional wrangling, a string of quarrelsome negotiations and devastation for the Scottish economy," Mr McConnell said.

"Quebec had a referendum on independence in 1995 and just like Quebec, our country would be threatened by currency devaluation, a leap in interest rates, falling stock markets and companies pulling back from their plans to invest.

"Vibrant companies with their headquarters in Scotland (would be) starting to look for sites elsewhere in Europe, the reputation and future of the strong sectors of our economy (would be) threatened, our emerging businesses killed off - all for what?

John Swinney: "Land of opportunity"

"To pay the price of the confusion and instability sown by nationalists. Scotland would be in retreat."

Mr McConnell said that a Labour victory next May would ensure Scotland's future growth.

His promises included an upgraded road network, better public transport, new airport rail links, 300 new and refurbished schools and a freeze on business rates.

And he told delegates that people had a choice at the next election.

"Investing in growth and opportunity - not plotting separation and divorce.

"Reforming and improving hospitals and schools for the long term - not cut-backs to pay for tax cuts for the few.

His children's bogeyman stories simply patronise the electorate

Roseanna Cunningham SNP deputy leader

"Labour's priorities are the people's priorities," he said.

Mr McConnell also attacked the Tories, claiming that they would "run down" and privatise public services.

However, SNP deputy leader Roseanna Cunningham hit back at Mr McConnell's "rehashed" arguments.

"If politics is a battle of ideas then it's all over for Jack. He is an ideas free zone," she said.

"When the Labour Party are ready to engage us on the merits of independence they should let us know but they'll have to do better than these tired old lines.

"His children's bogeyman stories simply patronise the electorate."