Scottish Labour Leadership Poll - update

The Scottish Branch of the Labour party leadership contenders has changed since the above poll.  43% of you thought A N Other would be the next leader with Mr Murphy following closely behind.

I’ve placed a new poll over there >> with the confirmed candidates.  There appears to be an tinge of arrogance in Murphy’s television interviews this week.

Will he be good or bad for Scotland?

Tweet

Scottish Labour Leadership - The Candidates So Far

It appears most of the contenders I listed for the leadership of the Scottish branch of the Labour Party have decided not to touch the poisoned chalice.  However a couple of ‘brave’ souls have stepped out of the melee and announced their candidacy.

The first is Neil Findlay.  When I heard the name I thought “Who?”  Of course google, being a best friend, came to the rescue with an image of the said Neil Finday. I didn’t recognise him but it’s stated he is the current health spokesman in the Scottish Parliament.

Next to express their desire for promotion was Sarah Boyack. I did recognise her - she’s been around quite some time but has been more or less silent since she left the first Labour coalition cabinet.

The past few days the media has been buzzing with the news that ‘the big gun’ Jim Murphy has put forward his candidacy. Fear and scorn are a few of the emotions drifting around social networks.  Andrew has a legal slant on Mr Murphy’s expectations.  Whilst reading the comments I happened across this link.  Tommy Ball is a member of the SSP but he’s done his homework and his assessment of Mr Murphy won’t be pleasant breakfast reading for the Eastwood MP.

However, a week is a long time in politics.  Next week is sure to bring more interesting facts and opinions from and of the candidates.  I was tempted to say “I cannae wait,” but that would be a downright lie.  I can wait.  It’s somewhat satisfying to watch the slow destruction of Scottish Labour.  I doubt if any will be honourable enough to fall on their swords gracefully though.

Tweet

Labour In Scotland To Reinvent Itself - Again

Since last week Labour in Scotland has been without a leader.  Did you notice?  No?  Neither did I.

To be fair to Johann Lamont she accepted a poisoned chalice but it was her intense hatred of the SNP - visibly palpable at First Minister’s Questions - which didn’t permit her to be anything other than a Labour Westminster stooge.

She managed to finger her (dis)associates in London on her way out of the door but methinks her criticism will be a nine day wonder.

Who is left now?  Most of you will have read the Sunday papers by now so will be up to date with the suggested candidates.  I’ve placed a poll in the right hand column is case you wish to place your own bet. No prizes available but the satisfaction of knowing that whoever wins will continue to be under the Westminster cosh. I have not included Gordon Brown as he has apparently ruled himself out. A few speeches in the last days of the Referendum campaign has left him totally exhausted I’m informed.

It’s with some reluctance I made Sarwar the image on this post. My dislike of this career politician knows no bounds.  Since he became deputy to Johann Lamont three years ago I’ve had to restrain from throwing something at my television countless times.  Never have I heard such automated nonsense from a Scottish politician and that speaks volumes.  But the man will very possibly go farther.  He reiterates the same drivel day in day out in the media and some of it will be believed by his party faithful I suspect.

It would appear Labour in Scotland will have a new leader by the 13 December. Yesterday I read that each MP’s vote is worth 100 times that of a grass roots party member.  That’s about par for the level of democracy wielded by London Labour.

Tweet

It's All Over Bar The Photocalls

That's it then - all over bar the photocalls. Farewell to Iain Gray (right) and welcome to Johann Lamont (left), the new leader of the Labour party in Scotland.

Later today the results of the never-ending Scottish Labour leadership campaign will be announced, but the Scotsman inadvertently published the result at midnight within the content of its McLeish article.

“Alex Salmond is a formidable politician and it will be very difficult to get the upper hand. I wouldn’t want the new Scottish Labour leader to be frustrated if this doesn’t happen. Alex Salmond is beatable, but there’s more to political life that and the new leader should not put all her political eggs in one basket.

“There will be occasions, when the new leader can undermine Alex Salmond at First Minister’s questions. If the new leader can make hits then she should do it, but she shouldn’t make it her reason for living." (my emphasis)

Henry McLeish does make some sharp observations about the state of his party at present, but it's perhaps too late in the day for Labour to make any substantial changes.  One point with which I disagree is the advice to forget Alex Salmond.   Johann Lamont would be well advised to do the opposite or she may well find Alex Salmond ignoring her and that wouldn't be a particularly pleasant experience.

Once again the ugly side of Labour ballots has reared its head. Their slogan is still 'vote early, vote often' I see. Will they never learn?

Tweet

We Shouldn't Write Off Labour

Although a large majority of you decided you weren't interested in Scottish Labour's leadership election we shouldn't write off Labour... yet.

Although the above poll gives little evidence as to the identity of the new leader, it must be remembered that Labour has a strong history in Scotland and has produced many politicians who have contributed, at Westminster, to the running of the UK.

However, these days have gone and Labour in Scotland has little to offer Westminster and even less to offer the Scottish Parliament, but they will not explode into oblivion.  They will use their unionist agenda to fight the independence referendum and should the SNP win - which is distinctly possible - Labour will be there and quickly reform their attitude towards being under Westminster control.  Only then will they reinvent themselves.

Therefore we shouldn't write them off altogether and we ignore them at our peril during the next four years. They have the power of the unions behind them plus the London party machine.

Thanks to all who voted.
 

Tweet

Will Jack's Voice Be Heard?

Lord McConnell of Glencorrodale isn't happy about Labour MPs having a say in the election of the new Scottish parliamentary leader of his party.

He says ' it was wrong that in the past MPs had equal votes with MSPs on the issue' and MPs should voluntarily and collectively - all of them - withdraw from the process and not nominate and not vote as MPs. (The Labour party constitution can't be changed in advance of the leadership election this summer owing to the length of time any change requires).

I'm with Jack on this because the vote of the 41 Labour MPs who represent Scottish constituencies outnumber the 37 in the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish voters would be correct to assume Westminster MPs have a greater say in Scotland than those in the Scottish Parliament.

Will Jack's voice be heard?  I doubt it.

Tweet