Could Independence Supporters Become The 'Nice' Side?

Why are so many SNP supporters - particularly on Twitter - declaring absolute horror at Tom Harris's production of a Downfall video?  Downfall parodies involving politicians have been made all over the world but they're soon removed by the film maker as a breach of copyright. Let me stress, I'm not condoning Tom Harris's appallingly bad taste for using the medium to mock the SNP - his action was well out of line for an MP - but I never heard any strong objections when Gordon Brown was depicted in a similar manner.

Last week, the MSP Joan McAlpine, made two totally unnecessary, ill-advised blunders. Firstly she tweeted: 'Interfering in referendum is anti-scottish as is refusal to compromise on popular desire 4 powers to Scotland.'  Then, to compound her initial error, she made this statement during the debate in the Scottish Parliament:

''I absolutely make no apology for saying that the Liberals, the Labour Party and the Tories are anti-Scottish ... in coming together to defy the will of the Scottish people, the democratic mandate the Scottish people gave us to hold a referendum at a time of our choosing.''

I was listening to the debate on DemocracyLive and couldn't believe my ears. Surely someone, with Joan McAlpine's experience of the media, hadn't called those who didn't agree with SNP policies anti-Scottish?  She had. Later, she did her best to defuse the situation by saying her remarks were aimed at the leadership of the unionist parties. Joan was reading from a pre-prepared speech. Her remarks weren't 'off the cuff'. If she meant the leaders of those parties then she should have made that clear.

I'm not alone in thinking Joan McAlpine's foolishness obliterated the superiority gained by Alex Salmond in the week's political brinkmanship shenanigans.

Some SNP supporters say their anger at Tom Harris's parody is due to certain opposition politicians, in the past, using the word Nazi in connection with their party and their leader in particular. If that is the case then they ought to be bringing these specific grievances to the fore rather than showing outrage at a Downfall spoof. I was far more angry at an MP behaving in this way.

When I was researching this I came across the question 'Is Alex Salmond a modern day Hitler?' One of the responses was superb:

Yes. I've been conscripted into the Salmond Youth. We will be spending our weekends camping and knitting whisky.

I would suggest that the commenter is perhaps an independence supporter who sees the banality of unionists comparing the SNP with the Nazis and has a good sense of humour.  Of course, any such comparisons are disgraceful and should be treated with the contempt they deserve, but if opposition parties are handed ammunition on a plate, as they clearly were by Joan McAlpine, the blame must lie with the person who fired the gun.  Name calling is not positive campaigning. It belongs to the playground not to the political arenas our political representatives frequent.

A very important aspect of the campaign will be the manner in which supporters of all sides conduct themselves and the public perceive them. Alex Salmond will keep his cool and his excellent PR team will, I hope, swiftly rebut offensive remarks from the opposition. If his supporters stick to the facts and be calm when countering attacks from bullies, the public will notice, because they know two wrongs don't make a right.

Those in favour of independence could become known as the Nice Side. Wouldn't that be a first in politics?

Update:  It would appear Mr Harris has received his reprimand.  Johann Lamont obviously realised her party could not - or perhaps would not - defend him.

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Tom-foolery?

The Labour party in Scotland has been in chaos since the SNP won the Scottish parliamentary election in 2007. The party has limped along, under the leadership of Iain Gray, with the sole purpose of opposing any policy the SNP proposed. On many occasions Labour's lack of sensible debate has been embarrassing.

After four years of turmoil and another election defeat, Labour still haven't come to terms with losing their Scottish fiefdom and it would appear they are still in disarray. Iain Gray stated he would be standing down in the autumn.  Autumn is nipping at the door and all Labour can say is that there is a consultation still in progress.  More embarrassment for the party which once ruled Scotland and now looks like a disfunctional small party labouring on rudderless in an attempt to regain their heartlands.

Yesterday the Labour MP and retired blogger Tom Harris stated his interest in becoming the new Labour leader in Scotland.  Initially I thought Mr Harris was being his usual ambiguous self with his statement, but when I watched him on Newsnight Scotland last night, I realised just how deeply Labour is wounded, perhaps beyond redemption.  Mr Harris couldn't answer many of the questions posed except to say he would like to see a leadership election and hoped more MPs would consider the position.  Unfortunately, he didn't know if there would be a position once the 'consultation' published its findings.

Tom Harris is no stranger to self-publicity and, if he is as seriously interested in the post as he says, then  surely he ought to be able to use some influence to pressure his party into resolving the issues within its Scottish division sooner rather than later.

Would Tom Harris be a good leader of the MSPs in the Scottish Parliament?  Who knows. Alex Salmond set a precedent when he was re-elected as SNP leader when he was an MP, but the difference then was Alex Salmond, although he continued as an MP until the next general election, had an exceptional deputy to keep his seat warm in the Scottish Parliament.

Labour are insulting their Scottish voters by not sorting out their affairs.  The longer it goes on the better the case for the SNP.

Is Tom Harris foolish to put his name forward?  Possibly not.  He was rejected by Ed Miliband when he applied to be a member of his cabinet, so all he has to lose is money.  Being a family man and with his family firmly based in Glasgow, losing a little money may not be too important. Not all politicians are in the profession for financial gain are they?

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Tom Harris on IPSA

We asked for it and we got it in the form of IPSA. Yet our servants (elected politicians) don't like it. Tom Harris says he doesn't want to be on Newsnight and wants to get on with his job. Was he issued with a subpoena to appear? Aren't Newsnight's guests paid?

Mr Harris says none of his colleagues knew logs were being kept of MPs' conversations with IPSA staff. Does that matter? One of my readers asked earlier today if I had any knowledge about David Cameron re-affirming the Wilson Doctrine. I can't find any record to say he has done so. Why would he need to? Why must MPs have a special status that excludes them from being subject to matters that concern the safety of staff?

I can think of many agencies, both private and public, who tell me when I phone that 'this call may be recorded for training purposes'. We have no choice other than to 'opt in' if we wish to talk to anyone.

MPs should not be treated any differently. The anger seems to be that the MPs weren't informed IPSA were keeping logs. Would the knowledge have improved their behaviour? Possibly. But it's of much greater interest to the public to hear just how MPs are reluctant to change where their finances are concerned.

My advice to IPSA is keep going. Many businesses have computerised expenses systems these days and if MPs are lacking basic computer skills the problem is theirs, not IPSA's.

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Tweet Extra - Tom Harris

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This tweet is from Tom Harris a few minutes ago:

TomHarrisMP

"Salmond 'demands a voice for Scotland' in TV debates" but would deny Scots the right to watch them! All about the SNP, less about Scotland

Tom obviously didn't listen to the First Minister on Sky TV around 11am this morning. You can hear the FM here in conversation with Adam Boulton, although I note Sky have edited out the section about the debates and the skiing. Fortunately I recorded it. Alex Salmond said (my words) that these types of debates had been going on for 20 years here in Scotland and he would be watching them but he felt the people of the UK deserved to hear an alternative opinion.

In fact Tom, he was most pleasant and positive about the concerted effort of all in this weather, the TV debates, the number of schools open and the superb skiing at present here.

Why shouldn't the First Minister demand a voice for Scotland? That's his job. Maybe that's rather a shock to you to realise that Alex Salmond doesn't have to have permission from someone in London before he call talk to the media or anyone about this country. Time to get over it Tom.

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Yes, It's Him Again

One of the first out of the PLP meeting with their great leader was Mr Ainsworth.  As well as taking on the position of Defence Minister he appears to have also accepted the post of cheerleader for the Prime Minister, a post more suited to his very limited abilities.

Forgive me if I had a little smile at Fraser Nelson's account in Coffee Shop:

'Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth was also sent out of the meeting at 6.50pm with The Line To Take from No10 - you could almost see him trying to remember his script: "Those people have had their say and they have failed to gain the support of their parliamentary colleagues and they should respect that". Staggering.'

Also Tom Harris spoke up and told Gordon Brown he out to stand down. Nothing to do with the fact that, in his constituency, the SNP came first of course.  There could be other reasons.

My bet is still good as Gordon Brown will hang on until the bitter end regardless of the country's wishes.

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Tom Harris - One of the Amoral Scottish MPs

Tom Harris is a Scottish labour MP and he is perhaps best known as a blogger and good pal of Iain Dale.  Mr Harris has posted about the Gurkha vote in Westminster yesterday.  I've had a look and don't see one word which explains why he voted with the government. 

Update 10.45am :  Tom Harris has now apologised for his previous post with the explanation that he was in shock.  What he doesn't say is if he was in shock because he voted the wrong way or because the government lost.  You decide.  

Video Courtesy of the Lone Voice

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Why is Tom Harris Unhappy?

Tom Harris isn't a happy man.  On Twitter he wrote earlier - 'Pathetic attempt by SNP to tartanise Smeargate' so of course I had to click the link.  It took me to the Times where the headline reads 'Labour accused of setting up Red-Rag like website in Scotland.'

Curiosity propelled me to read further and discover who in the SNP has made such an accusation.  Low and behold it's Iain Dale of Iain Dale's Diary.  Now I read Iain's blog regularly and he's no more affiliated to the SNP than I am to the labour party so what made Tom Harris tweet what he did.  Does he know something I don't? 

The Leaky Chanter isn't a site I visit because I prefer to read blogs where bloggers write their thoughts on a subject(s) than a blog which has been set up purely to ridicule Alex Salmond and cast aspersions.  It's obvious to any blogger like myself that this site is written by people with strong labour party connections and is often spurious in its content.  

Thankfully to my knowledge, no other parties in Scotland are associated with blogs which stoop to this level and long may that continue.  Applause to Iain Dale for being brave enough to speak out because he surely knew he'd upset his blogging pal Tom. 

Note:  I haven't linked to the Leaky Chanter because I've no wish to see their hits increase through any efforts of mine. 

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