Today's YouTube commentary is of course about the shock news that Kate Forbes, who would have been one of the two clear frontrunners to succeed John Swinney as First Minister, has taken herself out of contention by announcing she will be stepping down from parliament next year. That leaves the way almost totally clear for Stephen Flynn, which is a problem for two reasons: a) opinion polls show he is less popular with the public than either Forbes or Swinney, possibly because he comes across as more belligerent, and b) while he seems very ambitious, it's ambition for himself and for his party, not ambition to make Scotland an independent country in the very near future. Which is a paradox, because you'd think a man hungry for power would want to be Prime Minister of an independent country, not a First Minister hopelessly constrained by the limitations of the devolved settlement. Could Forbes' departure make space for someone new to enter the mix and present themselves as the alternative to Flynn with a credible roadmap to independence?
This may be a good moment to remind you that in one of my other recent videos, I mentioned that Alex Salmond had apparently reached some kind of understanding with Kate Forbes that if she had won the March 2023 leadership election, Salmond would have returned to the SNP and effectively disbanded the Alba Party. You can watch that video HERE.
But for today's commentary about Forbes' departure, you can listen via the embedded player below, or at this link.
You're bang on correct a out Flynn James, totally a devolutionist. Shame about Forbes, mid you it's a shame about the SNP, you know, the way they turned out.
Is there any key figure currently within the SNP who would make a good leader, push for independence and be an attractive option to all those who left?
Black leaving appeased the right wing of the SNP. Forbes standing down will please the toilet brigade. In my opinion, the only way the SNP and independence regain any impetus is if Flynn becomes deputy with a view to becoming leader within the next few years. I don't much care about the nature of his ambition, at least he has some fire in his belly, at least he gets us talked about. If the insipid McAllan is being lined up for the top job it really is all over.
I have no objections to fire in the belly, I just wish that fire was directed towards independence at the earliest possible date, rather than towards winning devolved elections for its own sake. However I agree that Flynn is preferable to McAllan. I certainly wouldn't dismiss her as "insipid", I think she's got loads to offer but not as leader, or not until later in her career anyway.
I had a feeing a while back that Kate might be approaching an important point in her child's development where she would have to make the choice between an all out political career for hersel or being there at all times for the wee one. I am extremely sorry that she won't be at Holyrood after next May. She will be sorely missed but her decision is perfectly understandable.
Isn't M McAllan the person who is favoured by the senior party hierarchy?
ReplyDeleteYou're bang on correct a out Flynn James, totally a devolutionist. Shame about Forbes, mid you it's a shame about the SNP, you know, the way they turned out.
ReplyDeleteIs there any key figure currently within the SNP who would make a good leader, push for independence and be an attractive option to all those who left?
ReplyDeleteAny sparkle of hope?
I think the senior hierarchy of the party believe McAllan is the one.
DeleteThe question specifically included "will push for independence".
DeleteMcAllan is not "the one" for that, although the leadership may still want her because they have different criteria from the rest of us.
“McAllan is the one” the SNP are like The Matrix.
DeleteBlack leaving appeased the right wing of the SNP. Forbes standing down will please the toilet brigade. In my opinion, the only way the SNP and independence regain any impetus is if Flynn becomes deputy with a view to becoming leader within the next few years. I don't much care about the nature of his ambition, at least he has some fire in his belly, at least he gets us talked about.
ReplyDeleteIf the insipid McAllan is being lined up for the top job it really is all over.
I have no objections to fire in the belly, I just wish that fire was directed towards independence at the earliest possible date, rather than towards winning devolved elections for its own sake. However I agree that Flynn is preferable to McAllan. I certainly wouldn't dismiss her as "insipid", I think she's got loads to offer but not as leader, or not until later in her career anyway.
DeleteSwinney remains. That's the biggest problem.
ReplyDeleteI had a feeing a while back that Kate might be approaching an important point in her child's development where she would have to make the choice between an all out political career for hersel or being there at all times for the wee one. I am extremely sorry that she won't be at Holyrood after next May. She will be sorely missed but her decision is perfectly understandable.
ReplyDelete