The more I read about Lisa Cameron's thinking about her decision to join the Tory party, the more I think that a) she's extremely muddled, and b) she's thrown away a golden opportunity to advance the causes she really cares about. On the muddled aspect of it, she can't seem to make up her mind whether she still supports independence or not. She's given several different versions of that to the media. I was quite tickled by the version in which she still supports independence in principle but doesn't trust the SNP to run an independent Scotland (rather similar to Stuart Campbell's claimed reasons for drifting towards voting for the Tories and away from supporting independence-in-practice), because that would have technically meant the Tories were stuck with their first ever pro-independence MP. But presumably her new handlers quickly realised that would never do, and primed her with the new "oh I'm just so exhausted with nationalism" schtick.
The missed opportunity, though, is on her thoughts about intolerance within the SNP towards religion, and anti-abortion views in particular. My own party Alba is by no means dominated by pro-life Christians, indeed if there's any dominant worldview within the party it's radical feminism. But its tolerance towards the type of views Lisa Cameron espouses is beyond question - you need look no further than the identity of the Alba General Secretary. By joining Alba, or even by following Angus MacNeil's example of becoming a non-partisan pro-independence MP, Ms Cameron could have really made a difference and opened some minds among her constituents about how it's possible to vote for independence without necessarily always voting for the SNP or signing up to the SNP leadership's increasingly narrow and intolerant worldview.
But who in East Kilbride will follow her to the Tories? Who will even give her a hearing now? All she's done is trash her own reputation, made herself a hate figure, and closed off any chance of a lasting legacy. I get the impression it was almost wholly an emotional decision based partly on strategic flattery and lovebombing from the Tory side, and partly on a desire to maximise the sting of her own personal revenge against the SNP. She probably should have followed the old advice to count very slowly to 1000 before finalising her decision.
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Rob here, I find a little disturbing that the tories should have had such a clear idea of which were her buttons to push. Presumably this is an on-going thing in Westminster. And another missed opportunity, yes
ReplyDeleteNo doubt it'll be mentioned in tonight's extended R4 Question Time from Maryhill. Can't say I expect your level of thoughtful Yes-leaning consideration with P. Wishart and Jackie Baillie on the panel.
I think you're entirely right. If Angus McNeil and Lisa Cameron has gone to Alba it would have created a real sense of momentum. If Alba had actually stood and done creditably in Rutherglen then even more so.
ReplyDeleteI get the impression with Lisa Cameron it was entirely a personal matter, as you say. She presumably feels like she's got friends who supported her in the Tory Group but not in Alba. Understandable at a personal level but a real missed opportunity.
Angus Brendan McNeill behaves a bit daft at times but he's not stupid, any move towards Alba would end any hope of any kind of career for him in his constituency, he could even end up moving house so much would be the contempt for him
DeleteAnonymous at 1.50pm - so you are saying the voters in his constituency are all numpties/nicophants.
DeleteWhat she’s done does seem pointless.
ReplyDeleteShe’s jumped from one sinking ship onto another.
Isn’t her partner a Tory of long standing?
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, we can guess where Jenny Gilruth will go to continue her career as the time comes to jump ship.
Kezia Dugdale is now aligning herself with the SNP
DeleteNew Savanta poll with Yes at 49%, and very interesting data inside, those who didn't vote in the first referendum (mainly because they were too young) are more than 60% for Yes
ReplyDeleteThe pensioners need to be convinced that there is no danger to their pension and other benefits after independence, something nobody seems interested in doing. It was partly fear of losing their pension that made a lot of them vote NO. Can't understand why in the eight years since the referendum the SNP hasn't done anything about that. Oh aye, Sturgeon.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't believe a word Lisa Cameron says. And what kind of people do we have going into politics if they end up on antidepressants. I mean, I know it might be stressful but what about other jobs like the polis, the army, either your cut out for it or your not. If your not you should quit it or have a break to think about it. As a psychologist she should no that and know that antidepressants are a short term fix until you see a - wait for it - a psychologist
ReplyDeleteObviously an MP or MSP is supposed to stand with their views, and if they align with constituents' they might be elected. At that point the M(s)P should aim to represent the will of the constituency, as MPs gracefully did at the Brexit election(s). Cameron clearly is looking at what a party can do for her, rather than what she can do for her constituents. A true Tory.
ReplyDelete