Friday, January 17, 2025

New article on my decision to rejoin the SNP

Just a quick note to let you know that I have a new article at The National, giving a condensed history of the events that eventually led to my expulsion from the Alba Party on trumped-up charges, and my reasons for subsequently rejoining the SNP.  You can read it HERE.  

33 comments:

  1. Good article, James.

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  2. Mike Thurston of Thurston Air Handling SolutionsJanuary 17, 2025 at 7:13 PM

    Note Skiers BTL 'Welcome back, James' which is Skier speak for 'I told you I was right'.

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  3. So you accept that the only way Scotland can gain its independence is to convince Westminster to allow another IndyRef - which you know will never happen. That is what rejoining the SNP means - do nothing on Indy.

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    1. "So you accept that the only way Scotland can gain its independence is to convince Westminster to allow another IndyRef"

      No I do not accept that. Hope this helps.

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    2. Isn't it hard though when that's the current SNP position & you've likely seen people like David Francis in the comment section on previous blog posts arguing that's the only viable path.

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    3. Positions change. Especially if party members push for it.

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    4. Like Angus MacNeil or Joanna Cherry? Hell we've even gone backwards.

      In 2022, Sturgeon was on the verge of embracing a de facto referendum, yet now that idea is dismissed as fanciful by most of the membership.

      After everything we've been through in the last decade, the current messaging is little more than a vague notion of "hope." It feels as though we're still stuck on step one, just beginning the journey. It's frankly absurd when you consider the time that has passed—an entire decade of promises, mandates, court battles, and UK political chaos—only to find ourselves in the exact same position.

      It's no wonder so many feel that if party members could push the SNP toward a bolder strategy, it would have happened by now. Instead, the persistent faith in the current approach makes you want to facepalm endlessly—it really shouldn't require such a monumental fight to bring about change at this stage.

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    5. Also seeing people say: We need to build support for independence by showing that the SNP can run things competently...

      That might be a good strategy when they haven't already been the Government running things for nearly 2 decades by the time of the next election...

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  4. So you support SNP1 and SNP2 in the 2026 election. Good luck with that failed strategy

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    1. Sigh. For the seventeen billionth time, there is no such thing as "1" and "2" in Scottish Parliament elections. AMS is not a preferential voting system and the list ballot is not a second preference vote. You're getting it mixed up with STV, which is only used for local council elections.

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    2. Q: Should The SNP stop with the 'Vote SNP 1&2' messaging in that case? They tend to push it hard.

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    3. I've never heard them say "1&2" even once.

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    4. Both votes SNP gets the message across.

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    5. For what though?

      By 2026 The SNP would have been in power for 19 years at that point. Focusing on 'Hope' without directly linking that hope to something tangible happening with independence (more than just a rehash of the 2021 manifesto) could actually work against the SNP. As if independence isn't on the horizon then the only other kind of 'hope for change' at that point would be a change of Government. You can't really focus your messaging on hope when people think you'll just keep the status quo as it is. That doesn't motivate the masses to turn out & voter apathy could be a big problem.

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  5. The Albaites haven't learned anything from their SNP days about the pernicious nature of "Inner Party" (Politico not Nat) control and it seems you haven't either.
    There is not and will not be a pro-independence majority by virtue of the SNP bagging a significant minority of votes and seats.

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  6. Good article, and well done the National publishing it.

    I note the first comment btl from a poster who criticises the SNP a lot. That's fine, but the personal attack on you puts him to shame. There's no room for nastiness like that - it fits more from the Anons on this blog who are probably mostly one or two paid Unionists or a prehistoric AI.

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  7. On another subject, from the Herald:

    "New Reform councillor mulls Holyrood bid as Scottish Tories brace for more defections"

    I suspect there's a missing "a" in a word there.

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  8. I would have liked to read the post but it is behind a paywall that I refuse to subscribe to on the basis that I stopped buying the National years ago.

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    1. https://archive.is/vyCRc

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    2. Anon @9.03 Many thanks for the link. At first reading it appears to be an explanation by Mr Kelly for his reasons for leaving Alba (justifiably) more than why he has rejoined SNP. I shall read it again and apologise if I have misread or misinterpreted the article.

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    3. Sorry, that was me. I stopped posting on the National when they wanted to charge me to post by taking out an electronic subscription. They lost their number 1 poster. I used to buy the occasional paper copy, but stopped after that.

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  9. Very good article, James

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  10. So you are a DevoNat now. Promising Indy but doing bugger all to achieve it. #BothVotesWasted

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    1. With all due respect, I didn't ask Alba to expel me on a bunch of ludicrous trumped up charges. In spite of my severe misgivings about Alba's strategy, I was committed to the party and was trying as best I could to help make things work. But once they expelled me, I had a choice to make, and I've made it.

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  11. A laugh a day can keep the dotor away. Thanks to all the BTL posters who are keeping me in rude health.

    Reform have not put their shoulder the campaign wheel yet. I am defo going to be checking in to see James pole analyses..and to have a chuckle. All the best to you all.

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  12. James I read your article. Regarding Sturgeon resigning I’ll post my opinion. Sturgeon needed an excuse to scupper the de facto referendum she had promised and that’s why she resigned.

    For most of the time she was FM she promised indyref2 to get votes and funds but continued to create reasons not to deliver it. She never had any intention of delivering indyref2 and John Swinney was with her all the way.

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    1. I have a question about the zip in the back of your head. Does it just open from the bottom or the top as well? Oh ma sides!

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    2. There also seems to be an odd view that following electoral success John Swinney would then suddenly resign because reasons and someone bolder on independence can take his place... because Leaders always resign after winning an election?

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    3. It's a bit like saying that we need to keep voting Labour as they might one day fulfil their promise and reform the House of Lords. It doesn't matter how long it takes!

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  13. I agree. It's time to turn the other cheek and focus on the positive and leave the naysayers behind.

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