In the space of ten days, Jeremy Corbyn has already proved to be a bigger disappointment on Trident than I thought was possible, apparently indicating to right-wing members of his front bench that he will not seek to change the party's official stance, although he will reserve the right to expound his own view. The most hopeful interpretation I can put on this is that he knows he can't fight too many battles at once, and is saving the showdown over nuclear weapons for later in the parliament when he thinks his position might be more secure. In the meantime, we're left with the chaotic free-for-all of a Labour leader who openly disagrees with his own party's policy, and a Shadow Cabinet who have licence to 'slap down' their own leader without fear of consequences.
As a result, the stars have never been better aligned (not even close) for Scottish Labour to finally take a distinctive line on Trident, in tune with the party's natural supporters. How hard can it be, even for a branch office, to say "we agree on this with the party leader and the Shadow Chancellor"? And yet, incomprehensibly, Kezia Dugdale is spurning that chance, and if anything is differentiating the Scottish party from London in a pro-nuclear direction.
She can't possibly think this is a vote-winner. And it can't possibly be a principled attachment to multilateralism, because she made no sense at all when she tried to defend that principle a few weeks ago. The only reasonable conclusion is that Kezia is still London's poodle, but London is no longer code for "the leader". So who or what does she take her orders from now? It can only be some kind of project to keep the Blairite/Brownite/non-left flame burning, masterminded by people who see a 'moderate' Scottish party as a useful pawn in their game.
Heaven help Labour MSPs next May if this is the course they're set on. They're going to get all of the downsides of Corbyn as leader, and none of the potential benefits.
Kezia is not leadership materiel however any idiot that is not prepared to defend a nation by what ever means necessary does not get my vote. The aim of the Nat sis left and right is to destroy Britain any means. Now if any of you can dis invent or can guarantee multilateral disarmament with no cheats then please do give us your grand plan.
ReplyDeleteNobody can "guarantee multilateral disarmament with no cheats". However, I don't think our nation is under the kind of threat that Trident missiles will deter.
DeleteI would rather defend the people of a nation by having enough to eat.
DeleteBruce
"destroy Britain" what a stupid thing to write.The SNP is not about destroying Britain but advancing Scotland,its the United Kingdom's political non-system that needs destroyed and re-built,and that is the aim of the SNP,independence for England is a good first step,but England cant afford to be independent,or do you think that a country that HAS to import 30% of its food is really a great bet or greatly viable? I don't,but I do think that a country that CAN afford to export 25% of its produce AFTER feeding itself is an affordable country.
DeleteWho is the idiot not prepared to defend a nation?
DeleteScotland should be getting paid a handsome price by England, USA and the rest of NATO who are being defended (supposedly) thanks to the use of our land. What do we get in return? What value has been put on our land by No voters? What price has been demanded by No voters to compensate Scotland for our risk of nuclear attack/accident affecting ourselves and our children??
You talk about defending a nation? By voting No you lot just rolled out the red carpet instead.
Indeed a nation sbould have enough to eat and the Nat sis have the powers to do this.
DeleteI note the Nat sis are adopting another Tory policy. Tough school inspections.
Look! Here's a ball. Away you go and bounce it in the corner.
DeleteLook! Here's a ball. Away you go and bounce it in the corner.
DeleteTrident compromises defence by consuming so much money whilst being useless against any potential threat.
ReplyDelete...especially since it's not really independent of the USA.
Money should not be a big issue when defense is required. You would not be commenting on here if the idiot pacifists were listened too during the 20s and 30s... .some being Scottish Nazis. Scotland would not exist as a nation but exterminated along with the Jews.
DeleteBounce bounce bounce.
DeleteBounce bounce bounce.
DeleteAye Kezia is a great asset for the SNP,but for Labour(Scottish division) she truly is an ASS-ET,just my wee thought.She did so well on the Sunday Politics,especially the part about saying that Labour in Scotland was/is under her leadership,even saying that she will tell the only(Lonely) Scottish Labour MP which way to vote,does anybody believe her on that? then the next part about letting,if there is another independence referendum,should when there is,all her MSP,s vote or canvass for whichever side of the of the independence debate that they want to.So that will be lots of extra YESSER'S I'd think.
ReplyDelete"...the Scottish party..." Please,there is no Scottish party.There is no Scottish Labour Party,and Scottish Labour is what it is.That is the Labour Party in Scotland. Let'scall it what it is.
ReplyDeleteMy question is why even have a Scottish Leader. It's not required. There is no Scottish Labour party. She might as well be named the Yorkshire Labour chief administrator. They probaby have as much autonomy.
ReplyDeleteIt's just painfull watching them going through the motions. The one Scottish Labour MP they have is anti Trident. Murray certainly won't pay attention to anything she says. He actually has more power than her as shadow Scottish Secretary.
I just thought when reading some of the posts. What an abomination Faslane and Trident are ,and how close to us all the death missiles are. Why do we allow these things in Scotland. How did we get to this. I am disgusted with anyone who supports nuclear weapons, end of!
It is simple. Kezia and what is left of the British Nationalist Labour Party in Scotland is chasing the ever declining rabid Brit Nat Tory vote. They will allow a debate in theory but when they have had it then it will be get back in yer box peasants.The recent pronouncements on Scots Indy show they haven't changed any. Corbyn has shown himself in less than a week it seems that he is just another City of London worm.
ReplyDeleteMore Nat si rhetoric. I have no time for the man but worm is no way to discribe him.
Delete