McConnell has told close colleagues that he will resist demands to let Nicol Stephen serve as deputy first minister without being burdened with a ministerial portfolio.
Stephen, who also serves as Scotland’s transport minister, confirmed during a Lib Dem leadership hustings last week that he would consider making the arrangement a condition of the next coalition negotiations in 2007.
Some senior Lib Dems believe it would put their leader on an equal footing with McConnell, who has no other ministerial portfolio and has more time to focus on the strategic direction of the executive.
They argue that the profile and influence of Jim Wallace, the outgoing Lib Dem leader, and of their party suffered because so much of his time was occupied by his work as enterprise minister.
Details of the plan, which emerged ahead of a cabinet reshuffle this week, have infuriated McConnell and Labour colleagues who are keen that Stephen keep busy with ministerial work rather than spending time raise the profile of his party.
Advertisement
The Lib Dems are in second place in several Scottish parliament seats currently held by Labour and the first minister is alarmed by the prospect of Stephen having more time to work on his election strategy ahead of the 2007 poll and tour the country spreading the Lib Dem message.
There has been growing tension within the coalition at Holyrood since the Lib Dems enjoyed an increased share of the Scottish vote in the general election.
Senior Labour figures believe that their partners in government are playing a clever game, taking credit for populist policies but dodging the flak from failed initiatives.
“Jack is very annoyed about the idea of Nicol being freed up to campaign all over Scotland to boost his profile and help the Lib Dems in seats where they are second.
“There are some seats where they are already breathing down our neck. This is the last thing we need,” said a senior Labour source.
Advertisement
This week’s reshuffle is expected to involve only minor changes. McConnell sees it as “a nuisance rather than an opportunity” and sources close to him have denied suggestions that he intends to sack Malcolm Chisholm, his communities minister.
Stephen will meet his party’s MSPs and MPs in Dunblane today to discuss his plans as leader after his convincing victory last week over Mike Rumbles, the only other leadership contender.
He will agree the new shape of the Scottish ministerial team with McConnell tomorrow but is widely expected to take over Wallace’s enterprise portfolio.
Tavish Scott, the deputy finance minister who ran his leadership campaign, is expected to join the cabinet by taking Stephen’s former transport post, while Ross Finnie is expected to stay put at environment.
A junior job to fill Scott’s shoes is expected to go to either Robert Brown or George Lyon, who are both regarded as being among the party’s most able backbenchers.