I've just voted in the Alba office bearer elections - the ballot doesn't close until 10th September, but I thought I'd better get it done now in case it slips my mind later on. I was slightly surprised by how the nominations worked out - all of the buzz on social media had been for the potential female candidates for depute leader, probably because of a desire for gender balance in the leadership team. So I was half-expecting an all-female contest, perhaps between Michelle Ferns and Eva Comrie. Personally I nominated Eva Comrie, and I was surprised when she didn't make the ballot (although she's a candidate for Equalities Convener instead) and Kenny MacAskill did. But now that Mr MacAskill is an option and clearly wants the position, I have to say I think he's the obvious choice. I dipped in and out of the hustings, and I was increasingly impressed by Michelle Ferns as it went on, but that didn't change my view that it makes sense to have someone with the tremendous experience and profile of someone like Mr MacAskill as depute leader, especially as the party is trying to get itself established.
Incidentally, I liked the fact that both candidates took the question about the high male suicide rate seriously. I'd have liked to have seen them go a little further, though, and accept that the phenomenon is actually rooted in gender, in much the same way that the structural challenges faced by women are gender-related. The idea that it can instead be put down to poverty doesn't entirely ring true, because there are as many women living in poverty, and if men are far more likely to take their own lives there must be an additional gender-related factor.
In the Equalities Convener ballot, I surprised myself slightly by giving my first preference to Suzanne Blackley. I went into the hustings expecting to vote for Eva Comrie, but I just felt that Ms Blackley's pitch gave her the very slight edge. However, I gave my second preference vote to Eva Comrie.
The Local Government Convener ballot was the one I found toughest. The hustings muddied the waters for me because Brian Topping was having severe sound problems and I was very impressed by Leigh Wilson, but I did give my first preference to the former MSP Mike MacKenzie in the end.
And last but not least, I plumped for the former MP Corri Wilson in the Membership Convener vote.
Thanks James, it's a helpful overview.
ReplyDeleteOn Depute Leader, I would be happy with either candidate, but I am going to vote for Michelle Ferns, because, given the trashing Salmond has been given by women, I think she is good for taking the wind out of the sails of that piece of history. I would think too that she has the measure of Sturgeon from local association - not that Kenny MacAskill would be lacking there. But the feminine touch is an asset.
Also as the younger of the 2, if she makes a success, she will be a longer lasting asset.
The point about youth also applies in the Local Gov't Convener role, where I am going with Leigh Wilson. The 3 candidates seem know each other and I am sure that whoever gets the role will be reaching out to the others.
On membership, I am going for Corri Wilson and on equalities, I am going for Eva Comrie, because I think that her legal background will stand her and the Party in good stead. I would also be happy with Suzanne Blackley. Mercy's enthusiasm was obvious and needs to find a good home so she can grow - particularly in developing the ability to present an argument coherently.
I am just hoping that none of these candidates have ruled themselves out of standing for the National Executive by standing as Office Bearers, because I would be happy to see any of them on the National Exec.
Regarding the increase in the male suicide rate, I agree with you 100% that it needs to be treated as a multi-faceted problem.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you've seen this video by Sir Harry Burns a close friend and former colleague of Alex Salmond - the link was made available on another blog but it might explain the explosion of PTSD cases and the accompanying suicide increases.
https://elevateni.org/videos/what-causes-wellness-sir-harry-burns-tedxglasgow/
I am not an Alba member and have no intention of joining any political party but I wish Alba well because Scottish independence seems to be their primary focus just as it used to be with the SNP. I will assist Alba with funds now and again just as I did with the SNP in the past.
ReplyDeleteIndependence never was and never will be with the Scottish Greens a priority. The Greens just led the way in showing the SNP how you can fraudulently get independence voters to vote for you if you CLAIM you support independence.
" There is little doubt that Scotland does have an annual deficit in its finances."
ReplyDeleteWhat Britnat said this?
These are the words of Mr Kavanagh (WGD). Just how does this statement assist Scottish independence. If this was written by Campbell all the numpties on WGD would be all over it.
How exactly does Kavanagh know Scotland has a deficit. There is no analysis behind this statement. There is no figure quoted for this annual deficit.
Mr Kavanagh makes great play in stating if your words do not assist Scottish independence then don't say them. I say to Mr Kavanagh you failed your own test.
Think I am being harsh on Mr Kavanagh?
Delete"Equally there is little doubt that the GERS figures tell us nothing about what the real deficit of an independent Scotland would be."
So he parrots Sturgeon in promoting that whatever the future holds Scotland will be in deficit. This is more food and drink to the Britnats who say Scotland cannot afford to be independent.
Countries do and can be in surplus that is also normal.
You failed your own test Mr Kavanagh. I suggest you stick to telling your readers how bad Westminster is and stay away from economics. The only economic deficit is your economic knowledge and false assumptions.
Pleased to see Mr Kavanagh has taken my advice and has stayed away from the economics of independence in his latest article and is back to his specialty of Westminster/Britnat bashing - something his numpties will no doubt lap up.
DeleteHe is, of course correct when he says we cannot vote out a Westminster government but we can vote out a Scottish government that doesn't deliver what we want. So how long will it be before the numpties agree to vote out Sturgeon for not delivering independence. My guess is a long time a very long time.
I just queried WGD for this assertion and asked for his source.
DeleteMy email has been deleted!.
Presumably his moderator does not allow for legitimate questions to be answered.
The SNP has always been full of YES people and still is. The difference is that nowadays it is YES to Sturgeon - whatever Nicola wants or Peter says. The old SNP was yes to independence.
ReplyDeleteThe pair of them lied their way through the Parliamentary Inquiry but SNP members and SNP MPs/MSPS just turn a blind eye. A lot of them delight in Sturgeon getting away with it. All it shows is that they have the same integrity as the Westminster mob - zero.
I watched Harvie being interviewed on Scotland Tonight about the deal with the SNP. A discussion on the policies both parties agreed on and disagreed on took place. What word was never used -INDEPENDENCE! Scottish independence not worthy of a mention. Says it all about the Greens - phoney independence supporters.
ReplyDelete"Margo actually didn't rate Nicola Sturgeon believe it or not. So would likely be saying to me just now I told you so."
ReplyDeleteJim Sillars asked by Ponsoby what his late wife Margo thought of Sturgeon.
Aye you got that one right Margo MacDonald.
The liar Scottish Skier says in his new cosy old folks home called WGD: -
ReplyDelete"I've been called a gullible ,SNP cultist my entire life, .... " nope you are just a plain old liar and fantasist.
The Walter Mitty character who posts as Scottish Skier but never seems to say anything about skiing is now an expert chemist. He no longer bashes rocks for a living and his speciaity as a data analyst seems to be history as well. He no longer works for a university or does he. But he works with Iranians 4 of whom he has converted to Scotfish independence along with all the other non Iranians he has converted to Scottish independence.
Only the gullible numpties on WGD would believe this liar. They now seem to think he is an expert on the oil industry. Perhaps he needs to rename himself Scottish oilman.
Update the liar Skier is now an accountant.
DeleteAt least a numpty on WGD Capella says " I'm not an accountant" when giving the SNP accounts the all clear.
If Murrell said he was raising funds for Indyref2 by a raffle with the prize being a day trip to Mars these numpties would be first to buy a ticket.
THE COVID INQUIRY
ReplyDeleteSturgeon needs to tell us if John ( Redactor man) Swinney will be let near any incriminating documents with his black felt pen.
I'll bet the shredder in St Andrews house has been red hot in recent weeks.
A WGD numpty reports he couldn't get his square sausage this morning from his local Spar.
ReplyDeleteSuffering great deprivation he moans he had to make do with an egg in his roll.
COMIC relief is what you can get from the numpties on WGD. WGD should register as a charity.
I see that 'the ring fence money is still there' twitter is very quite this morning.
ReplyDeleteNot surprising really seeing as the 2020 accounts showed they only had £183676 in liquid capital at the end of the year.
So the £600k has gone, no point in anyone trying to argue otherwise. At the current run rate it will take another 4 years for the SNP to be able to 'pay back' the £400k which is missing.
The SNP raised money for a referendum that was to be ring fenced for that purpose and that purpose alone. So that means the money should have always been clearly shown in the SNP accounts every year since 2017. It wasn't. Replacing it with an IOU until they are caught out and then up the amount in the accounts in a future year to try and cover their tracks is just not acceptable to any honest person. But it is ok with the numpties on WGD.
ReplyDeleteDid the SNP when raising the ring fenced money state that there would be no referendum for 5 years - no they didnt. In fact we still have no date for this referendum. I doubt it will happen. ITS A SCAM.
An honest approach would be to fund raise AFTER a referendum date is announced.
Schrodingers Coalition
ReplyDeleteIf Green members vote against the deal - it doesn't go ahead.
If SNP members vote against the deal it may or may not go ahead.
If this is an incorrect summation of the situation I am sure some party members will tell me the correct situation.
In the meantime it appears that there is more democracy in the Greens than in the SNP. The New SNP has lost its Crown as the party that had the greatest level of internal democracy.
In summary, Green members are deciding the nature of the government of Scotland but they couldn't win a constituency seat.
Alec Lomax out in front for the Numpty WGD quote of the week but which one - such a choice.
ReplyDelete