By Steve Bargeton, political editor

FIRST MINISTER Jack McConnell yesterday dismissed the SNP as a political threat and said the choice for voters was between Labour and the Tories.

In a wide-ranging speech to young Labour activists in Edinburgh, he outlined the revolution in the classroom that will form the centrepiece of the Executive’s new legislative programme, due to be unveiled when MSPs gather at Holyrood after the summer recess next week.

On Friday Alex Salmond is widely expected to be returned as the SNP’s leader once again, following the resign-ation of John Swinney in July.

But Mr McConnell said that his return would not help the fortunes of the party.

“I predict that Alex Salmond will not get the level of support that he, at least, thinks he deserves,” he said.

“No change in personality or return to the past for the SNP will change this divide in Scottish politics between Labour and the Tories.

“The Tories will always be the party of the privileged few, and the Nationalists ultimately put national prejudices before social justice.

“Labour’s vision is of one Scotland, moving forward together with ambition and opportunities for all.”

Mr McConnell said that although education standards were rising, there was still the need for radical reform and that would come very soon.

“No child should see options falling away from them if they are not among the top academic achievers in the school,” he said.

“To meet the ambitions of all our young people there will be more choices for young people in what and how they learn.

“We will open up a wider choice of learning options—choices that are of greater relevance to the world of work, and the enthusiasms of the pupil.

“This autumn (Education Minister) Peter Peacock will unveil the most comprehensive modernisation programmes on Scotland’s secondary schools for a generation, engaging schools and teachers and supporting them in the improvements.

“But engaging too with private sector interests prepared to bring their inspiration, resources and success to help modernise our schools, together with successful figures in the media, sport, music and the arts, to inspire a generation of teenagers.”

It has already been revealed that the Scottish Executive plans to in- volve the private sector in education within the state system.

A spokesman said a number of business people were keen to make “a major investment,” and the proposal was for a model of education involving new learning methods for both teachers and pupils.

The First Minister said he was determined to “push boundaries, innovate and transform Scotland.”

Mr McConnell, who is in Dublin today to see how the Republic of Ireland’s workplace smoking ban has operated, also promised a “crusade” to prevent ill-health in the first place, by tackling the impact of smoking, poor diets and alcohol and drug abuse.

Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie last night attacked Mr McConnell’s promise to reform public services.

He claimed, “He can sometimes talk the talk, but he never walks the walk.”

“Purchasing power must be in the hands of the consumer—in this case the parent.

“And decisions about how schools develop should be devolved to school level so that teachers are freed from central bureaucracy and can forge a productive partnership with parents to prepare their children for future life,” he added.