Local Government Convener
Who the leadership want to win: CHRIS CULLEN
Who should win: FRANK ANDERSON
This is a simple one, because there's an exceptionally good candidate and an exceptionally bad candidate, and one of the two is going to win. Chris Cullen is a full member of the so-called "Corri Nostra", and as Shannon's fiancé will soon be Corri Wilson's son-in-law once the Wedding Of The Century finally takes place. From my personal experience of him on the Constitution Review Group and the Disciplinary Committee, he's a low-grade bully and he represents all that is worst about machine politics. By contrast, Frank Anderson is an independent thinker, has vast experience in local government, and would appear to be the exemplary candidate for the role.
Women's Convener
Who the leadership want to win: DEBBIE EWEN
Who should win: KIRSTY FRASER
Debbie Ewen presided over the kangaroo court that upheld my expulsion on 8th January. In fairness, I gather she didn't make any attempt to take part in the vote, but everybody I spoke to about her was insistent that she's Tasmina's woman, and very closely associated with the Corri Nostra, and would only have been selected for the task to smooth the way to the predetermined outcome.
I know next to nothing about Kirsty Fraser, but those I trust are pretty clear that she's the best candidate on offer.
Equalities Convener
Who the leadership want to win: SUZANNE BLACKLEY
Who should win: UNSURE
On a personal level I actually quite liked Suzanne during our time together on the NEC and the Constitution Review Group - she comes across as a real person who doesn't read from a script. But ultimately she does what she's told - on the CRG she was a reliable vote against democracy and transparency, and she also obediently put her name to the spurious complaint that led to my expulsion.
I can't offer any clear alternative recommendation on this one, though. Some speak highly of Tony Osy, but I mainly associate him with some of the odder visual stunts that Alba HQ have organised.
Organisation Convener
Who the leadership want to win: JOSH ROBERTSON
Who should win: EUAN MCGLYNN
Let's not beat about the bush here: Josh Robertson is an articulate young man who dresses well, but he's also a totally unscrupulous careerist leadership drone. His behaviour as convener of the Disciplinary Committee has been an absolute disgrace from day one - he's knowingly presided over multiple injustices at the behest of Chris McEleny and Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh. I could see in his eyes that he knew he was doing something terribly wrong, but he had obviously just set his mind to seeing it through because he reckoned the ends justified the means (the ends presumably being to bag himself a seat in the Scottish Parliament). If you want anything to change or improve in the Alba Party, it's not going to happen with Josh in such a key role. Euan McGlynn would be a far better choice.
Membership Support Convener
Who the leadership want to win: GAIL HENDRY
Who should win: MORGWN DAVIES
This is an absolute no-brainer - Morgwn is totally incorruptible, and when he put his name forward it looked like the leadership panicked because they realised he might well defeat Scott Fallon. So they've gone for the nuclear option and put up A Person Of Salmond Blood against him.
Depute Leader
Who the leadership want to win: NEALE HANVEY
Who should win: NEALE HANVEY
I have no great sympathy anymore for Neale Hanvey - in my view he has been cowardly and hypocritical by repeatedly attacking expulsions and suspensions in the Green Party while the McEleny Purges were going on in his own party, which of course he remained totally silent about. However there's a simple principle in life that you can't really go wrong with: if Chris McEleny is standing for election, you vote for his opponent.
Leader
Who the leadership want to win: KENNY MACASKILL
Who should win: Probably MacAskill, but this is a right bastard of a decision to have to make, and I don't envy you guys
Essentially this is a Cold War-style proxy battle for control of the Alba Party between Chris McEleny on one side (Ash Regan is his proxy), and Tasmina, the Corri Nostra, and Those Of Salmond Blood on the other (their proxy is Kenny MacAskill). I suppose if you're forced to choose between Sauron and Saruman, you just have to grit your teeth and choose Saruman, but there really isn't a good outcome here.
Sauron and Saruman, eh? More like Worm and Tongue. Yeah, neither of them merits a whole character reference of their own.
ReplyDeleteChris Cullen is not Scottish.
ReplyDeleteAnd?
DeleteCullen skink is.
DeleteNeither is Lorna Slater and she's one of Scotland's most talented politicians.
DeleteLorna Slater is not a good politician imo. And she is not Scottish.
DeleteLorna Slater cost and will cost Scotland, hundreds of millions of desperately need pounds with her incompetence, her and Harvie.
DeleteI hope we never see their likes again in Government.
but you dont like Green policies.
DeleteI don't like incompetence and a complete ignorance of economics and business. Things which are needed to pay for green policies in the first place unless you want to kill people off with hypothermia and starvation.
DeleteAch, if only Alba had won mair seats than the greens.
DeleteTbh a dancing monkey would be more effective than Lorna Slater.
DeleteLorna Slater was grossly incompetent. She is not up to a job in government. The greens have shown themselves unfit for public office in the real world. They are fine in the world of student politics but that is their level.
DeleteAch, if only the ISP won more seats than the greens.
DeleteLooks like a choice between the lesser of two weevils unfortunately...
ReplyDeleteCould be worse I guess, could have John Swinney as Leader.
DeleteJohn Swinney is a good leader.
DeleteBut weevil prevail.
DeleteJohn Swinney is loyal to the party he joined many years ago. ALBA elections are just a side show.
ReplyDeleteA very loyal man. Loyal to the British state.
Delete"A very loyal man. Loyal to the British state."
DeleteHow dare you suggest that. When Keir Starmer proposed his 'Council of the Nations and Regions' John Swinney rightly refused proclaiming that the First Minister of Scotland isn't on level pegging to an English Mayor...
No wait, never mind. He attended willingly and was all smiles during the whole process. He then later signed a deal with the mayor of London for closer ties between the regions of the UK.
Life is so simple in your wee world anon at 3.57.
Delete5.31 yes it is simple. Swinney is a devolutionist. Always has been and is now happy for everybody to know that. There will be no challenge to his leadership because the SNP has given up on independence. Nothing happening on independence for at least 6 years says Swinney. That should see him through to retirement.
DeleteWhat does 12 pm mean?
ReplyDeleteNoon.
DeleteFrom the Royal Museums Greenwich:
Delete"When most people say 12pm, typically they're talking about the middle of the day: 12 noon. When they say 12am, they normally mean 12 midnight."
Anon 1244- same as 12:00 but with an added 44minutes
Delete12 is neither am or pm.
DeleteHanvey joined in the bullying of the female NEC members. He is no ‘defender of women’s rights’ as he tries to portray himself.
ReplyDeleteHe will likely win but does not deserve to
Mibbe Hanvey can improve on the 63 votes that Alba got at Kirkliston.
ReplyDeleteIt’s like falling out of a plane without a parachute saying don’t worry it will all get better soon. Fairness to ALBA’s ordinary members but death is facing the party.
ReplyDeleteAt least Alex Salmond won't be able to rig the voting this time, following his sad demise.
ReplyDeleteBut others will.
DeleteWhat's sad about a man dying who you just admitted was a crook? I thought we were supposed to be better off without crooks, especially politician crooks
DeleteAnon at 4.36. You are a nasty little shit. GTF.
Delete"there's a simple principle in life that you can't really go wrong with: if Chris McEleny is standing for election, you vote for his opponent. "
ReplyDeleteBut how would you recommend that people vote in an STV system featuring:
1. Chris McEleny
2. Sshh...Anon
3. Wings
4. Peter A. Bell
5. Tas
?
I'll take on this grim challenge, but can you tell me first what position they're standing for?
DeleteAlba Internal & External Communications Facilitator
DeleteI would vote none of the above. Ever. For anything.
DeleteOut and about today and talked to a lot of folk.
ReplyDeleteThis whole thing is not even on their radar because Alba and its goings-on simply do not matter to them.
What DOES matter to them is the Cost Of Living Crisis and I had many discussions about the latest Scottish Poll showing that 68% of Scots want the richest generally to pay more in tax and a truly massive 79% want the VERY Richest to be hit with an extra 2% on tax which would bring additional £Billions annually to help our NHS and other crucial Services.
Scotgovt should respond to this huge public desire for an even more progressive Tax System up here and ignore the wealthy vested interests who bleat about how they might have to cut back on second homes and third annual holidays.
As even a very vocal group of millionaires themselves now state......it would make sense for our society and they CAN afford it.
Seems like an open goal for Swinney in the run up to next year's Election..........
David, how many did you call wankstains?
DeleteThat post by David Francis could be one by a Labour supporter from decades ago. An independence supporter nae chance.
DeleteAlso I never refer to Scotland as “up here “ as Francis did. Plenty English use that expression though.
You?
ReplyDeleteKnock knock who's there.
DeleteHow do you tell the difference between a real independence supporter and a nicophant?
ReplyDeleteThe real independence supporter wants the referendum Sturgeon promised for approx 7 years.
The nicophant is happy with Sturgeon's book. Frankly these people are kidding themselves on that they support independence. You can find them posting btl on WGD and SGP.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
DeleteYes David Francis is very happy with what Sturgeon has delivered. A book of fiction. Sturgeon even says she always wanted to be an author. Neither Francis or Sturgeon are independence supporters. How can nicophants tell their children or grandchildren they delivered a book instead of independence to improve their lives.
DeleteFrancis is laughing at Scotland and Scottish children. Another generation doomed not to fulfill its potential with plenty emigrating as ever but hey they can read Sturgeon's book of excuses. Probably it will be everybody else’s fault.
Here is a perfect example of a nicophant. Dr Jim expressing his everlasting love for Nicola on WGD.
DeleteJimbo says :- " On stage last night Nicola Sturgeon said on politics " who knows I might change my mind " I smiled as wide as the British press's misery spread across their faces."
You know Jimbo might be right she may change her mind. She has a long track record of changing her mind e.g.
the promise of the Scottish energy company, changed her mind about that.
Scotland will not be taken out the EU against its will, changed her mind about that.
the multiple promises to hold Indyref2, changed her mind all the time about that.
the promise to see out her full term, changed her mind only a few weeks after declaring she was not going anywhere.
the promise to retain all communications during the Covid years, yes you guessed it, she changed her mind about that as well.
the promise to give a full and transparent testimony to the Scottish Parliament Inquiry into the actions of Sturgeon, her advisers and her government, changed her mind on that.
the promise to only discuss Covid during the daily TV briefings, she changed her mind about that.
An extensive record of changing her mind. But never mind I have a book to sell you.
Zzzzzzzzzz.
DeleteAnon at 9.29am Do you have a point to make? Or are you unable to type through a disability or have no language? Or are you just a stupid troll?
Delete