Until the events of yesterday, Flynn was at best on the fringes of contention for the next SNP leadership election. But by turning himself into something of a folk hero, I wonder if he might now have given himself a genuine chance - if he actually decides to throw his hat in the ring, of course, which is far from certain given the awkwardness of running for leader as a non-MSP. If he does have a crack at it, he'll presumably have to nominate someone else to be a temporary First Minister for however long it takes him to get a Holyrood seat, which is far from ideal and would doubtless be used by his opponents as an argument against voting for him.
Personally, I'm not sure he's the right person to be leader, because from the second-hand information we've heard from journalists about the strategic differences between himself and Yousaf, I actually think he's even further away from being right than Yousaf is. He seems even keener than Yousaf on de-emphasising independence, which is not the way to win elections for the SNP and is self-evidently not going to help bring independence any closer.
In a strange way, though, I might welcome it if the next leadership contest boils down to a straight choice between Flynn and Kate Forbes, because that might mean that the Sturgeon Faction's fight to retain total control of the party will be lost before the votes are even counted. Correct me if I'm wrong, but my impression of Flynn is that he wouldn't be an out-and-out change candidate like Ms Forbes, but neither would he be a Continuity Sturgeon candidate like Yousaf or Mairi McAllan or Angus Robertson - he'd be ambiguously somewhere in between those two concepts. So even if he defeats Forbes (and I suspect she'd be more likely to defeat him), there'd be a much-needed break with the Sturgeon era and a move towards something new.
It's worth noting that with Humza Yousaf's leadership, the need for an immediate election contest is not pressing.
ReplyDeleteKate Forbes and Flynn both bring strengths to the table, so that it's evident that the SNP possesses a depth of talent.
This fosters a robust and diverse leadership team without necessitating an immediate contest.
"It's worth noting that with Humza Yousaf's leadership, the need for an immediate election contest is not pressing."
DeleteLOL. It'll be pressing enough come October. Remind me of his latest net poll rating? Minus 17, isn't it?
He’s growing into his polls. Glub, glub…
DeleteA diverse leadership team Kate is not a part of, as he sacked her from her finance portfolio the day he walked in. Big man, isn’t he, our Humza. All the talents. 🐑
DeleteKate Forbes has blown her chances of becoming FM anytime in the near future, it's sad in a way but she screwed it up during Covid by trying to pull a fast one on Humza Yousaf in a meeting with Nicola Sturgeon, or it might well have been her the Former FM would've recommended for the job
ReplyDeleteOch, don't be daft. She's the clear favourite to be next leader.
DeleteHi, another anon here. She probably just about is but I hope someone else comes through. There isn't a vacancy at the moment and isn't likely to be for at least 6 months. Shouldn't we try to get behind Humza anyway? They've had a decent period there with the Gaza stushie and his commitment on that that has won some plaudits.
DeleteThe worst of both worlds would be changing leader to a supposedly better one and getting humped. I also think Yousafs manoeuvering from the left on Gaza has made inroads into, let's face it, the Labour swing vote. Does Forbes have that same in?
"Shouldn't we try to get behind Humza anyway?"
DeleteGiven the extent of his personal unpopularity, that might depend on whether you want to lose the election or not.
Maybe it's just me but I've sensed a slight change in his ratings. Might be wrong, granted. Any leader is going against a backdrop of the SNP on a downer, he's finally getting a point across about Gaza and I think making an inroad
DeleteIn the last poll his numbers slumped to the joint lowest ever.
DeleteWhen was that? Doesn't feel right to me but there you go, am not a pollster!
DeleteA week or two ago at most, I'd have to check.
DeleteForbes is too mild. Flynn hasn't the political guts to fight for independence; he'd never dream of ripping up the Westminster rulebook. We're still looking.
ReplyDeleteYou want Angus Robertson?
DeleteHaud on, Humza, Shug’s taking off his coat. Continuity? You ain’t seen nothing yet!
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DeleteRemember what happened the last time the SNP elected a leader who was just an MP at the time? He came back to Scotland, took a seat straight off the Brits, and led the party to unprecedented electoral success culminating in a referendum on independence.
ReplyDeleteNow there’s a fine precedent. Go on and surprise us, Skinny!
If Nicola Sturgeon says no, then Kate Forbes won't be FM, it's that simple, and there's a very good reason for her to say no
DeleteIf that was actually true, she wouldn't have got 48% of the vote last March. It's doubtful whether Yousaf would have got over the line without all the procedural jiggery-pokery (I hesitate to use the word 'cheating', but...)
Delete2011 won us indyref. A referendum we almost won, even pre-Brexit.
Delete2015 won us “Scotland will not be dragged out of Europe against its will” as our backsides shuffled out the door.
Has Yousaf or anyone in the SNP ever clarified why the British spooks were asked to look at the SNP systems prior to the leadership election and state exactly what they did?
DeleteI think we need to accept Yousaf is going to be leader until after the GE at least.
ReplyDeletePersonally I’ll be voting SNP and I feel strongly everybody should be getting behind them. I see no point in not doing so, it will only do damage.
I’m glad you feel that, Jamie. But I will not be joining you.
DeleteI feel strongly that the SNP’s taken us all for mugs since 2015. Shame on them.
Delete"I think we need to accept Yousaf is going to be leader until after the GE at least"
DeleteAccepting that may mean needlessly accepting an avoidable defeat.
Jamie - you say "it will only do damage." I disagree I think it will be good for a lot of the MPs health and waistlines not to be MPs. It will damage a few bank accounts though but it will not make a bit of difference to Scottish independence as they are not interested.
DeleteThey're about as interested as that mad as a bucket of frogs British Irish liar Skier.
DeleteWe should put difference aside and stop the sniping. Time to get behind the SNP now. We were always better when being positive. Push the message about what they've achieved.
DeleteCorrection: we were always better when independence was on the table. Our finest hour was the indyref campaign in 2014. We rose to it because we knew it mattered.
DeleteReally, ask yourself, what have we won since? What have they achieved? Even bloody Starmer hogtied them. Scotland's shame is on parade in that cursed house.
Flynn conducted himself well yesterday. It's a shame the tactics behind his oratory were a mess as the SNP could've scored a really big hit on Labour otherwise.
ReplyDeleteFlynn is way better than Blackford and more suited to the Westminster bear pit than Humza or Sturgeon would probably have been.
The more we see and hear of him in the month before the GE the better. I think he'd come across well in TV debates.
If the broadcasters deign to invite the SNP to any.
DeleteI bet (independent MP) Jeremy Corbyn gets more coverage in the election than the SNP. The media love nostalgia, and they never tired of kicking him.
DeleteNigel Farage will no doubt be on everything.
DeleteAlways.
DeleteFlynn is a Britnat with his snout in the trough.
DeleteStarmer will be pants in TV debates. His lack of charisma is a real turn off. It'd be even worse if he sends Angela Rayner in to have a go. She's abrasive and unjustifiably full of herself. Sunak will be polished but insincere. Flynn would do well against such limp opposition. It might be enough to get the SNP voters out and that'll make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteI really quite fancy Angela Rayner, it would be good to see her have a go.
ReplyDeleteThere’s something thrilling when she tells us Jocks to get back in our wee shortbread tin, yes. Must be the ginger hair and the swagger…
DeleteGood luck to Flynn, he deserves the plaudits now coming his way. My choice would always be Forbes, for what she represents & everything about her (I think she is a fabulous politician). But others will disagree, including with vehemence. I don't think there will be a genuine unity candidate & I am not convinced that one is possible, given the different policy directions that the party will have to choose from. For instance, whether to burn the bridges between the party and the Scottish Greens - in my view those bridges should be reduced to ash and scattered in the North Sea for all eternity.
ReplyDeleteBurn the Scottish Greens and chuck Flynn on the Bonfire.
DeleteObviously, burning Greens is carbon neutral. This one's for you, Mother Earth! (they, them)
DeleteYesindyref2 finally gets Skier
ReplyDelete“Liar liar, pants on fire”.
Disgusting creature.
From a personal point of view, I used to have a great deal of respect for Skier. Used to. Until a few years ago.
DeleteThe guy can make a strong point, no doubt but, as he's gone further and further down the rabbit hole defending every single SNP failing and ignoring their lack of interest in indy, he's made himself look increasingly delusional and pretty foolish, tbh.
The turning point for me was when he suggested and then desperately defended that all DK's could be counted in with Yes in a poll because they've obviously turned their back on the Union. For an apparent man of science to leap to such a laughably false conclusion was a real eye opener.
> From a personal point of view, I used to have a great deal of respect for Skier. Used to. Until a few years ago.
DeleteGoes to show how misguided we can all be when we trust our gut. I was downright amazed at how well Nicola "grew into the rôle" when Eck resigned and she took over. I'd feared the media would tease her relentlessly for looking like one half of the Krankies, but she really did change right before our eyes: for the better, so it seemed.
Then, aye, look where we are now. Arise Dame Nicola, for your services to our everlasting Union. You know, if she falls through the Branchform…
From the river to the sea, too many numpties on WGD.
ReplyDelete🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
DeleteFrom the Liar to the Ski,
DeleteTweedle dug and SNP.
In a political landscape often fraught with division and uncertainty, Humza Yousaf emerges as a beacon of principled leadership within the SNP. His steadfast commitment to humanitarian causes on the international stage, notably his advocacy for the people of Gaza, reflects a moral compass that transcends borders.
ReplyDeleteYousaf's unwavering stance on such issues showcases his dedication to leveraging Scotland's voice for global justice and human rights.
Moreover, Yousaf's domestic agenda, particularly his fervent anti-poverty initiatives, underscores his deep-rooted commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable in Scottish society.
Through targeted policies and proactive measures, he has demonstrated a willingness to tackle systemic inequalities head-on, striving to create a more equitable and inclusive Scotland for all.
In assessing Yousaf's leadership, it becomes evident that now is not the opportune moment for a change in leadership.
As he continues to evolve and refine his approach, his tenure presents a valuable opportunity for continuity and progress within the SNP.
By building upon his successes and addressing areas for improvement, Yousaf exemplifies the type of leader Scotland needs in these challenging times.
In essence, Humza Yousaf's leadership embodies a rare combination of visionary foresight, compassionate governance, and unwavering dedication to both domestic and international causes.
As he navigates the complexities of leadership with grace and determination, the SNP stands poised to leverage his leadership for the betterment of Scotland and beyond.
Message ChatGPT…
ChatGPT can make mistakes. Consider checking important information.
WTF haha
DeleteYou are a joke for posting this rubbish
DeleteOh right, I get it now. At last. It was genuinely confusing me.
DeleteNot a word in there about achieving Scottish independence. So it's spot on.
DeleteI was going to take it apart line by line—he's polling at -17 FFS—but the end is beyond parody.
DeleteBeware AI, folks. SNP loyalist garbage in: SNP loyalist garbage out.
Anon at 10:15, excellent post, well said.
ReplyDeleteYou read the last line right?
DeleteIf you consider the decline and fall of the Roman Empire, there are some who would say that while the more remote parts were a sign of the loss of purpose and power, it was Rome itself that had the decay that caused the problems at its edges. Consider for instance that the Roman Empire never managed to defeat a few savage Picts, and had to build walls to keep them at bay.
ReplyDeleteClearly London was at the heart of the British Empire, and you have to wonder how long its power structures have been decaying. Long before the second world war in any case. This scandal with the Speaker is the most recent and most visible, as it removes any pretence at all that there is any democracy left in the British Empire's central parts - its Parliament and "other place" chamber.
Consider too that while Foulkes always was a fool, Annabel Goldie was well respected, as was Jim Wallace. But in their dotage they have joined Foulkes, not in any noble enterprise, but in an outright attack on the Scottish Government and its ability to control its own budget. In short, they have become totally Londonised.
From this point of view you can look at the Isle of Man which has an enormous amount of sovereignty and can insulate itself from the excesses of Westminster, while Wales and Northern Ireland grow further and further apart from the rotten centre.
It won't be long now.
I agree with the post about abstentionism, the SNP can't do that because many voters would jump to Labour.
ReplyDeleteBut this is the fault of our Scottish compatriots, who still consider the option of voting for this unionist party of the colonial State.
In Northern Ireland Sinn Fein is not damaged by its abstentionist policy, because no Republican ever would switch to the DUP
The SDLP is right there, though.
DeleteBut aye, every nationalist in the North of Ireland knows just how pointless their paltry campervan of representation would be in a parliament of 600 Brits.
Absurdly, though, it would have made the difference for Brexit when Teresa May relied on the DUP to push things through on knife edge…
Biggest problem any leader has is the SNPs reputation for being less corrupt than the traditional parties being shaken due to the police investigation.
ReplyDeleteIs a conclusion in sight? This can affect the 10-15% who have had their confidence shaken or have them come home to the party.
No, biggest problem is the economy and public finances
DeleteThe polls do say that, when people are asked directly.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet the Indy-lite SNP is looking mighty poorly. Strange, eh?
I've been in a quandary about my GE vote. I despise certain elements of the SNP and feel that it would do them no harm to get a good kicking. But that is trivial compared to the over-riding desire for Independence.
ReplyDeleteWhatever the polls may say, and remembering that the MSM is always going to do its best to turn the public against any new SNP leader following the departure of the Saintly One, I think Humza is growing into the job and I very much admire his stance on Gaza, which he initially made clear at a time when it was not necessarily popular for a political leader to do so. I think he is a man of some principle but I wish he's start being a bit stronger on Independence. I'd also like to see him flex his muscles within the party and get rid of some of the old guard though the forthcoming election may give him and the voters the opportunity of doing some of that.
So I'll probably vote SNP. I like my MP, and I cannot get away from the fact that voting Conservative, Labour or LibDem, or indeed abstaining, is essentially a vote for the union. Every SNP seat lost to a unionist party will be hailed by the MSM and, unfortunately, some Scots, as an endorsement of the union. Even if we think (rightly, IMO) that the SNP have recently been too soft on Independence, they are nevertheless the only major party advocating it and as for me Independence transcends everything else they'll probably get my vote.
I agree completely with your post.
DeleteYou’re correct to say the SNP need to do more regarding independence but also correct to say we need to get behind Yousaf and the party.
There would appear to be a considerable number of people thinking of abstaining at the GE, but as you say, abstaining is effectively a vote for the Union.