Without wanting to be overly critical, I think it's probably reasonable to say that Graeme McCormick has behaved slightly oddly, and not entirely fairly to the SNP members who went to considerable lengths to back him. There's a place for abortive leadership bids that end with a "long and fruitful" chat with the chap who wants a coronation, but that place had already been filled by Kate Forbes. Realistically the only reason members were nominating a little-known candidate was because they had made up their minds they definitely wanted an election rather than yet more tales of a behind-closed-doors fireside chat, and they must be bemused to have ended up with the latter instead. However, if it's any consolation to the people who nominated him, if I was in your shoes I'd be saying to myself that at least all the stops were pulled out to prevent a stitch-up. Strenuous efforts were made to persuade Kate Forbes to run, and when she didn't, an unlikely Plan B was found and only failed to work because of one person's rather peculiar decision. If you genuinely try everything and it still doesn't work out, all you can really do is shrug and say it wasn't meant to be on this occasion.
The silver lining now is at least we (and by 'we' I mean Scotland and the independence movement) can turn the page on the mistake of Yousaf's leadership immediately, rather than waiting a few more weeks. John Swinney is not the right person to be leader, but he's less wrong than Yousaf. If anything, judging from the dismal mood music from him on the Sunday politics shows, he's even less likely to do anything about independence than Yousaf was, but the first priority is to get the SNP and the independence cause out of jail at the general election, because unless that happens everything else is moot. We'll have to see what Swinney can do about that, hopefully as part of a broad and collegiate leadership team that prominently features Kate Forbes and Stephen Flynn. The first test will be whether the promised 'key role' for Ms Forbes is actually delivered - if she's shafted with a lesser offer than she was led to expect, Swinney's leadership will be poisoned by bitterness from the word go. Hopefully he's sensible enough not to do that.
On a personal level, at least, I can congratulate him. He's been SNP leader before, but only in opposition, and when that stint ended in failure it must have seemed that what he could achieve in the remainder of his career was going to have a ceiling on it. But no, twenty years later he's made it to the very top, or as close to the very top as is possible in a devolved system, and that's a remarkable story.
Onwards and upwards watch this space.
ReplyDeleteI can't see Swinney doing anything meaningful on independence or even on getting the SNP out of jail. He's going to be one of those political inmates who learn to love the security of constitutional incarceration.
ReplyDeleteJohn Swinney deserves to be given a chance. He has started a new chapter.
DeleteAgree
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIf Swinney as he said follows Yousaf's "strategy", which id defined by this:
ReplyDelete"Conference believes that if the SNP subsequently wins a majority of the seats at the General Election in Scotland, the Scottish Government is empowered to begin immediate negotiations with the UK Government to give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent country"
"democratic effect" which Yousaf clarified YAPFS Section 30 begging bowl, then there isn't the slightest chance of the SNP getting any majority at all, in fact they'll be lucky to get seats in the double figures.
Swinney needs to set an actual strategy.
Sorry, that was me.
DeleteJohn Swinney said on Sunday that he does not believe SNP should spend so much time and effort on devising mechanisms such as these.
DeleteYup, he's an idiot.
DeleteYou looking in the mirror again?
DeleteGive folk time or do you just want failure? Sad mindset if so.
It's not about time, if you've got the right strategy you can have all the time in the world as far as I'm concerned. Swinney has no strategy at all. All he's got is "it's time we stopped talking about process so people are less likely to notice there isn't a process".
DeleteGoodness sake, he hasn’t even been sworn in yet! One thing you want get us anywhere greetin. What is your strategy? I am sure we are keen to see it.
DeleteI think their strategy is to greet regardless of who got the job. This is either due to some gloomy disposition or because they don't want independence and wish to be as negative as possible at every opportunity. .Telling gloomy people to cheer up is harsh and there is no curing concern trolls so negativity it will likely continue to be.
DeleteEverything is going to be terrible. It's all a catastrophe and I predicted it. If I was in charge things would be very different. People just don't deserve my wisdom.
DeleteFor the love of God, would you GIVE THE SNP LEADERSHIP A CHANCE TO COME UP WITH A STRATEGY? They've only had ten years - what do you expect, MIRACLES? Anyone who doesn't give John Swinney a century or two to come up with some ideas is just making themselves look ridiculous, quite frankly. Anyway, WISE GUY, what's YOUR strategy? It wouldn't involve actually holding a vote on independence, would it? Chortle. How infantile.
DeleteSNP is the only BIG Scottish independence party , the rest are tiny , minnows that have no chance of getting Scottish independence.Anyone who really beleives in Scottish independence should vote for SNP even if you hate the leader or the ex leader or the ex ex leader , if you jist hate everything about the SNP or hate something about them so so much that you just cannot vote for them even in the knowledge that they are your only chance of getting Scottish independence then vote ALBA by doing that you cause the least harm to our chance of getting Scottish independence .SNP s its voters not its staff remember that , the staff including the leader will change and as they come and go you will likely remain so go for it vote for Scottish independence the only way it can be acheived vote SNP , i am personally tired of what the staff and leaders have been doing and saying but i accept that they are human and have their own ideas and beliefs , i do however remember that no matter who the leader of the SNP is or what they do or say as leader the voters are what is most important in the long run , do not believe the nonsense that changing your political party every time something within it dissatisfies you be ause if you go down that road you will become a nomad.Stick together voters for Scottish independence giving our vote to the party in the strongest position to acheive it.Terence Callachan Dundee
ReplyDeleteAgree.
DeleteDisagree 100%.
DeleteMe too.
DeleteAnd me.
DeleteAgree 110%
DeleteSalinesque.
DeleteYes. Like salty water.
DeleteWell said Terry,
DeleteThose who disagree with logic that SNP is the only party that can get Scottish independence must be advocating years and years and years of a unionist government in Scotland because if SNP folded overnight it would take ALBA or any other independence party at least a decade to build a voter base strong enough to get Scottish independence, they would not inherit the SNP voter base overnight because the SNP voters are a huge variety of people who used to vote Labour Conservative Lib Dem , few of these people would move over to ALBA .Those aforemention who disagree with my conclusion i think are ALBA / wos supporters.
DeleteThe problem with averting an electoral wipeout at the general election is that for the independence cause to move forward a whole lot of SNP parliamentarians need to be replaced.
ReplyDeleteCatch 22.
Nine have already said they intend to retire.
DeleteNot unusual for sitting MPs to wish to retire.
DeleteIt isn't unusual, just pointing out that there will be change as a matter of course.
DeleteIm assuming the ex snp ALBA MP's are resigned to their fate of being ousted.
DeleteI repeat myself but it has to be said , we dont need to replace MPs in the SNP , its the party that counts and for Scottish independence the people the voters are the party.Each individual MP MSP will have their personal views and will likely push their party in the direction that suits what they stand for and it is a FACT that you will never ever ever get ALL of your MPs MSPs singing from the same hymn sheet , those here calling for MPs MSPs to be replaced must presumably be wishing that those that come in align to their views but how can a party ever ever have all its MPs and MSPs aligned to the views of the SNP voters who themselves have differing views ?Impossible.
DeleteTerence Callachan Dundee wrote theabove
Deletehttps://t.co/CAuVZftL1Q
ReplyDeleteSwinney's leadership will have succeeded if it arrests the SNP decline into oblivion. His job is to circle the remaining wagons and at least reassure the faithful that some sort of future exists for the party. I see it rather like Michael Howard's stint as Tory leader 20 odd years ago. An elder statesman trying to hold on to the party's core vote. Howard still got battered in the GE but he stopped things getting worse. That might not seem much but it would be an achievement for Swinney if the SNP are still a credible political force in two years time.
ReplyDeleteThis is to view it too negatively. The SNP is in government, Swinney will be First Minister and leader of the SNP when it has many elected politicians. It is not at a low point like Michael Howards time at the Conservative party.
DeleteWell that's a low bar.
DeleteAt the next GE and the next Holyrood election, a great deal of SNP politicians are going to be replaced by Labour politicians. Rightly so, because a lot of them are shit. I see no plan on the SNP side. I really don't think they are currently capable of being an effective opposition party, I'm not sure that John Swinney even has a pulse, and they look likely to lose both elections. The future of the SNP looks like it involves sacking a whole bunch of hingers-on, and trying tofigure out what they stand for.
ReplyDeleteStarmer is boring, but the SNP can easily beat him if the vote was on how boring the party lead is. As for independenzzzzzzzz.....
I long for a return to the days of the political titans of Labour who transformed this country. People like... em... eh... just give me a minute... eh... I'll get back to you...
DeleteHardie, Atlee, Bevan, Wilson, Smith, Blair and Brown.
DeleteI think most of us admire John Smith, but he certainly didn't transform this country, because he wasn't in power, unless you count a few years as a junior minister and a few months as a middle-ranking Cabinet minister. What did Brown do that was so transformative? I suppose for Blair you'd say devolution, but that was a commitment he inherited and wasn't crazy about.
DeleteBrown was a first rate Chancellor.
DeleteLabour giants like Sarwar, Baillie, and others so memorable I can't recall them? Whatever ailments the SNP have there is no Labour Government in waiting. They were awful back in 2007 when they were rejected and they will be worse than awful if returned. Nodding lapdogs to Sir Kid Starver with not an original thought between them.
DeleteVery unfair. Jack McConnell was a political giant.
DeleteAnd Lenny Richards was a titan.
DeleteLord Jack McConnell!? Jeezo. What exactly is the point in deluding yourself that yesterday’s deservedly forgotten lightweight chancer was a hero from a golden age?
DeleteMcConnell’s achievements: privatising hospital buildings and their parking; and introducing PR elections for local councils which then destroyed the power base of his own party. He helped give Alex Salmond a leg up into power and bugger all else.
aye Broon was a good chancer, I hear he got a good price for the gold he flogged, and burst the final salary pension schemes an a'.
Deletewhat a man.
Brown screwed my pension up. Still, he and his lady wife founded a charity which I'm sure has disbursed something to the deserving poor.
DeleteWhat I find odd is that no one else decided that it was their time. That means that there are 50-odd MSP who don't want to be leader. You'd think that at least 10% of them might want a crack at it. All that tells me that they are all cowed or useless
ReplyDeleteThis is a non sequitur. John Swinney is the natural choice for now. Others will get a chance later.
DeleteIt shows how devoid SNP politicians are of talent and initiative that they have resurected a failed leader from the year 2000 without a vote. A moribund political party with a leader who comes across as barely alive. No vision, definately no plan, and an immense sense of entilement.
DeleteThe beginining of the Scottish parliament was festooned with serious political thinkers, and yet the populance thought it was shit because of the rest of them. The serious political thinkers have retired, and the rest of them are in control. I am in favour of independence, but I'd rather have Jakie Baille and Anas Sawar for the immediate furure, if thets allowed on an an indy blog.
DeleteUsing the word entitlement and the name John Swinney in the same sentence shows how ignorant and stupid you are. Little Britnat troll.
DeleteJackie Baillie is surely the midwife of Scottish independence. I’ll remember that one!
DeleteSNP vote 45% => 29% and falling. I recon they will get 25% in an actual election, although that's not as severe as the last by-election. The SNP are fucked and running around like headless chickens.
ReplyDeleteThe current and ongoing disconnect between the cause of Scottish independence, the SNP (their vote sink), and everyone else is stark.
The last by election in which the labour vote actually went down? That by election? Giving the incumbent a bloody nose in a by election is pretty standard. Doing the same in a G E? Let’s see. Impartial MSM and BBC reporting would see off labour as the right of centre Tory tribute band they undoubtedly are. Impartial MSM and BBC? Are those pigs actually pink? More austerity, further attacks on the rights of workers, and more tax breaks for the rich. If that’s your thing vote labour.
Delete"The last by election in which the labour vote actually went down?"
DeletePlease don't trot out nonsensical propaganda like that. The Labour vote increased from 34.5% to 58.6%. It was undeserved, but pretending it didn't happen isn't going to help.
Speaking of propaganda narratives: what’s with the media pushing this daft nonsense that a hung parliament is likely now? Are they just cynically lying about the obvious, in the hope to make it a “neck and neck horse race” so people keep on watching, when in fact the blue horse seems at least one leg short of standing upright?
DeleteThe way they keep willing American politics on us all is as worrying as it is disgusting. Fake contests between fake distinctions without an inch of difference. All sound and fury signifying nothing but eternal frustration.
I see you have deleted my post pointing out that as a matter of fact the Labour vote went down. Disappointed that you felt the need to delete references to established facts.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteTo quote the usual suspects, I agree with WT. Best comment I've seen on this site.
ReplyDeleteSecond best. I've drilled down into the comments and see that Anonymous has made quite a number of points and I nominate the one of hers about John Swinney as the Very Best.
ReplyDeleteWi ref tae " labour titans " . Geordie Broon was surely one? He saved the world , sorry banks...pity he used oor money and let aff the bankers...
ReplyDeleteGordon Brown's achievements at the time of the financial crisis were very substantial. That was a time of great economic peril and he dealt with it very successfully. He is certainly one of the great Prime Ministers as well as one of the great Chancellors
ReplyDeleteAnother names that is mising above is Alastair Darling (sadly missed) who was chancellor at that dificult time was certainly a great chancellor.
So great the English booted them both out of office at the first opportunity. General elections won: Tony Blair 3, Gordon Brown 0. They prefer their Scots to be English.
DeleteYou failed to mention that Gordon Brown, as Chancellor, sat back and watched the casino style antics of the bankers for well over a decade and, despite umpteen warnings, did sweet f all to stop them from crashing the economy. Ordinary people in this country have been paying a very severe price for Brown's laissez faire attitude to the bankers ever since. And what is the current Labour Party approach to the bankers? Remove the restrictions from their bonuses! Absolute idiocy!
DeleteRed Tories gonna Tory.
DeleteChan eil mi a'dol leat.. aye right...we're sae weel aff the noo , we havnae really had 15 years o austerity. And they bankers ye hae tae feel sorry fae the puir chiels.
ReplyDeleteNa gabh dragh. Tha sinn Albannach fhathast.
DeleteThan mi'n dochas gu bheil thu ceart.
DeleteNo it's the idea of dependence that's nonsense
ReplyDeleteBy convincing them.
ReplyDeleteNawbag
ReplyDeleteSometimes in a minority. The polls have fluctuated over the last couple of years with Yes sometimes ahead sometimes behind. The fact is that Scotland is pretty evenly split on this matter. It is way too close for Westminster to ever dare risk another section 30. It is certainly far to close for those who favour independence to consider giving up. That just isn't going to happen.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree with WT. Very well expressed description of our predicament.
ReplyDeleteAs James said when Kate quit the field: Swinney’s not as bad for independence as Humza. Humza’s victory was awful, because his faction had complete control of the party and would keep it so for years. Swinney, meanwhile, is old and clear to all a caretaker. He’s here to limit losses and then resign when they come. The chance to take the SNP back to independence will return once his turn as scapegoat is done.
That’s when we can all get excited, anxious and jubilant/depressed again!
I do agree with Callachan’s fundamental argument: the SNP == independence. That’s our vehicle, short of an IPP/Sinn Féin style event. Our task as Yessers is to give it every push we can to get back on the bloody road. Right now that’s not behind the vehicle, which is pointed off towards a drop.
I’ll only vote for them if I believe them once again.
If there was not already an independence movement, the London government’s contempt for us would create one.
ReplyDeleteThe London government’s contempt for us paid off the leaders of the Independence Movement. It’s why nothing has happened in 10 years.
DeleteWhy should anything have happened in the last 10 years??
DeleteYou had your “once in a generation “ referendum in 2014 !!!!
When are Nats going to stop peddling this pathetic nonsense?
You can get a divorce whenever you want it. So too should be the case for Scotland.
DeleteHow is it that unionists don't understand that it is they that are the bigger nationalists- they want to continue a " GREAT" British state - BRIT NATS!
DeleteLet's keep calling them out.
What utter BS. Thankfully unionists are the majority, always have been and always will.
DeleteTime to give up on this independence nonsense.
Anon@12:56, It’s only a minority of people like you who want the divorce. The majority of sane people understand what the lunacy of independence would result in.
DeleteAs opposed to the lunacy of staying in the union? Have you seen the state of the UK economy? The national debt? The country that voted Johnston, Truss, Sunak? You really think that's a good bet?
DeleteWT, you’re entitled to your opinion. The majority don’t agree with you.
DeleteAnon May 7 at 10.12 - you have a fair point there - we are at low ebb just now but it comes in waves and tides. From my point of view a low ebb in the high 40s is an encouraging start point for campaigning especially with independence being tied to a tired unpopular government of 17 years. Arguments for independence also have a problem getting through a hostile media. But you are right our job is to put together an argument that will convince those on the NO side that an independent Scotland is a better option than the constantly failing UK. From my perspective it's a shame that the SNP are not up to the task. The rebuttal units, Keith Brown's responsibility, numbers1, 2, and 3 have not yet managed to rebut anything - yet I see so much to rebut. From your perspective I would think that this is okay and I wouldn't blame you.
DeleteIs not for others to rehabilitate Salmond, it’s him. Personally the constant harking back shows that some on here don’t care for independence but some form of retribution. Get rid of Nicola Sturgeon… she goes…. Still not good enough….. Get rid of Humzah…. Not good enough…. Try and get rid of the SNP….. failed but his isn’t good enough..
ReplyDeleteCold facts. The SNP is and remains the largest independence party with the largest membership. For those who call snp members cretins or apologists or the miriad of other insults why does the small clique of a clique, who self-proclaim that they are the purist independence supporters not look around and ask why they are still in a minority?
John Swinney: I'm sticking with Humza Yousaf's independence strategy
ReplyDeleteWell hallelujah and praise the section 30 request! Indy’s surely coming, spread the word!
/s
Yip Indy’s coming.
DeleteI’m sure there’ll be a sighting of the Loch Ness Monster soon too.
Loss Ness monster? - Chickenfeed! I saw Johann Lamont smiling.
DeleteThat doesn't sound like Johann.
DeleteThe monster bit does😁
Delete10:40. I am not an Alba supporter. The SNP’s losing many more committed Yessers than Alba has gained. Many more of us are simply scunnered, and it’s all on your party, no one else.
ReplyDeleteTo another at 10.40 Two things: Salmond doesn't need rehabilitation as he is an innocent man. Even if you hate him you have to treat him the same as any other citizen. Continue to hate by all means but he should be afforded the same protections as any other citizen - otherwise your progressive Scotland is nothing but a sham. Second I don't call anyone names if they're in the SNP or not. This is about independence - the problem we have is that the SNP like labour before then have turned politics away from a vision to the world of football tribalism. The SNP are not Independence and when they stop working towards independence then they do not deserve the vote of those who want it. At that point people will look at the basket of policies on offer in comparison to others and choose the one they want to shape society. Personally I don't like half of the stuff the SNP have foisted on me and half of the stuff they tried but failed to foist on me BUT that's my fault - I voted for them. Never again until I see some move towards independence. And if they can't or don't do that you have to ask "why?"
ReplyDeleteAnon@10:40 Stop this rehabilitation crap. Salmond was cleared by a jury (most of whom were female) who actually heard the so-called 'evidence' of his misdemeanours. You seem to think you know better by relying on gossip and media lies about the case. If you don't want to be called a cretin, try thinking for yourself for a change rather than what Nicola and her pals have told you.
ReplyDeleteAnon@10:42 I'm the same. Apparently anyone who isn't SNP is a unionist or an Alba supporter. Like you I'm neither, I'm part of a bigger group of The Scunnered - ex SNP voters who have seen them for the frauds that they are and will only return when they get back on the road to independence.
Never mentioned the court case. He behaved inappropriately as the FM of Scotland at Bute House. He should have gone home to his wife and none of the issues may have arisen. Agree? Still as albanists Regan showed your true , red and blue colours. Still, in fairness to the response to my posts not one disagreed that you have campaigned against the former FM’s and the SNP. You have wittingly or unwittingly joined the Brit Nat pack.
ReplyDeleteAnon At 12.07 I assume you are the same anon as at 10.40 You say Salmond behaved inappropriately 1 how do you know 2 so what? I'm not here to defend Salmond the point Im making is the opposite - we all have to work with people we don't agree with or like to gain independence otherwise you trying to convince unionists is a fantasy. It should not be about salmond or sturgeon or any one person or faction but the trouble is that is what the SNP put before independence. I will be straight, I think Sturgeon was a disaster, I think (and I'm out on a limb here) that Youssaf is better than Swinney but for my vote MY vote all they have to do is move towards independence and they don't. They think they're entitled to my vote. I will give them my vote at the drop of a hat, it's sitting there waiting for them. I would have ignored the albanist remark but I have to highlight it as an example of what the SNP have done to the YES movement, you have unwittingly been shepherd into factionalism. Like we have in football. Not visions for the future, not a strategy of how to get there just division and personal enmity. We will never get independence with that level of division. We, you and I, are both on the same side let's not let others push us into seeing the world through their eyes.
ReplyDeleteWho are you to say he behaved inappropriately you sanctimonious balloon? I don't know what an albanist is although I assume it's your 'witty' name for an Alba supporter - well I'm not one so you've got that wrong as well. You seem to thrive on your prejudices about what other people think or what they are. Maybe you should
ReplyDeletekeep your ill-informed opinions to yourself.
It seems the rumours and innuendo about Salmond are deemed inappropriate behaviour. But not those about the Murrells marriage, Humza's alleged adultery, Alyn Smith's penchant for young boyfriends half his age, Blackford's new mistress, Grady's groping, Jenny Gilruth in bed with arch unionist Kezia Dugdale etc. Double standards?
ReplyDeleteBy his own admission Salmond behaved inappropriately. And did his Advocate not confirm it in a rather public manner? A S is hugely unpopular. Any party he fronts will be regarded the same way. This denial of reality is ridiculous. Alba is finished. It was finished the second Ash voted with the unionists. Again, this denial of reality is ridiculous. WOS will give you a home if you are involved in this level of cognitive dissonance.
ReplyDeleteNicola Sturgeon has endorsed Swinney having worked closely with him for more than 30 years and she has spoken some powerful and meaningful words.
ReplyDelete"He was by my side throughout my time as FM - as deputy, friend and confidante. He is one of the kindest and most decent people I know - and without doubt the right person to be FM in this moment, for both party and country. Aside from his family, I doubt there is anyone in Scotland prouder of John today than I am."
These words underscore the wisdom and the unifying nature of John Swinney's promotion to First Minister.
Is she the same person as Mrs Murrell?
DeleteYes, of course.
DeleteIt is a pity that Nicola Sturgeon is on the back benches.
DeleteIt is only right that, in the near future, she attain a greater role, one that makes better use of her considerable talents and experience in policy, healthcare administration, and effective communication.
Well, she might be much too busy in court…
DeleteAsh voted in Swinney. Wonder what angry spin the Sturgeon fan girlboys will have to say about that.
ReplyDeleteWhat spin do you put on it? Alba supports Swinney?
DeleteNo they got a kicking for voting with the Brit nats and couldn’t afford to do it again.
DeleteAlba are willing to play ball if the SNP are willing to.
DeleteAnon 10:15.
DeleteThere’s that angry spin.
More to the point, I wonder what Wings over Toryboy will have to say about that. Has he gone on one of his bizarre Unionist diatribes yet about how Ash is actually a mole for the Murrells?
DeleteCampbell knows his audience. If you want to entertain a mouth frothing audience and keep their money rolling in, write mouth frothing articles. Some recent classics. Campbell had an exclusive from an inside source about the next SNP leader. Ho got it spectacularly wrong. He told the mouth frothers that he actually got it right, and they agreed with him. The Campbell cult, the comedy gold that keeps on giving.
DeleteReagan realised how colossally stupid it was to have voted with the unionists days earlier, and hopes this will make it all better. It won’t. Alba are dead. Reagan is finished. We know what level they were willing to stoop to, and they can never again be trusted.
DeleteAs usual from you it's an all out attack on Salmond, a presumption that everyone else is for Alba or Wings, and completely ignoring the SNP's 'indiscretions'. Your mind is set in concrete and typifies what is wrong with today's SNP. Good luck trying to persuade any lost voters back to the fold with that attitude.
ReplyDeleteIt's very telling that the Salmond party who could never deliver anything for Scotland are even more angry about John Swinney's election to FM than the English based parties opposition, which is puzzling given that Alex Salmond had nothing but praise for Mr Swinney his complete time in tenure, nearly as much praise as he heaped on Nicola Sturgeon, but somehow both are now in the pay of Westminster
ReplyDeleteHe's a big bit contradictory of himself is Mr Salmond isn't he?
Is that another telling sign?
The telling sign is that it is you Dr Jim posting your shit again.
Delete"He's a big bit contradictory of himself is Mr Salmond isn't he?" So what? Don't you want independence? What has that got to do with it?
DeleteThe SNP idiots were told Sturgeon would not deliver independence. They were also told that Yousaf would not deliver independence. Up steps the next member of Sturgeon’s crooked gang, Swinney, and I’m telling them again Swinney will not deliver independence.
ReplyDeleteIt is not within the power of a First Minister to "deliver independence" as though he can issue an instruction to civil servants to carry it out. Moreover, to call John Swinney "crooked" is just rhetoric, lacking substantive content. To the contrary, he is sometimes referred to as Honest John for his straightforward and on-the-level approach to political communication.
DeleteDid Honest John ever ask where the £600k was hiding?
DeleteI thought Douglas Ross set the right tone today. With Swinney's family there it was right that he should pay tribute to his family and adopt a broadly constructive tone.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the SNP complain about Tories so vociferously it's pretty clear that on a personal level there is not so cold a relationship between them at all.
DeleteNot quite as warm a relationship as between the three Tory parties.
DeleteJohn Swinney stepping up as the new leader of the SNP is great.
ReplyDeleteHe brings a wealth of experience and a steady hand to the table.
Known for his hard work, Swinney is the kind of leader who really thinks things through and stands firm on his commitments.
His previous roles have shown he can handle tough challenges with intelligence and integrity.
People respect him for his straightforward approach and his ability to get things done.
With him at the helm, there's a good feeling of stability and strong leadership as the SNP turns a new page.
His speeches today and yesterday will not quickly be forgotten.
SNP members can feel hopeful once again.
Agreed. In addition to these points, he will also be a unifying force bringing all MPs and MSPs together to form a more cohesive team. All in all Swinney seems to have been the best available option for the SNP and I look forward to him taking forward his work as First Minister and Party Leader.
DeleteHis whole stint as party leader will be a footnote, alongside Humza’s.
DeleteCarrots.
DeleteEncouraging to see Garavelli praise Swinney as an excellent choice by SNP.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/may/07/john-swinney-snp-leader-scotland-independence
Thank you for posting this well-written and thought-provoking article. I agree with its argument, namely that Swinney was a very good choice for the SNP and may very well rekindle the electoral fortunes of the party.
DeleteA few months and these rosy eyed prophecies of Swinney’s transformational excellence will meet electoral reality.
DeleteEncouraging to see Garavelli praise Swinney as an excellent choice by SNP.
DeleteNice trolling
I read her hit piece, er I mean article on Salmond. The one written after he was proven innocent. I was able to jigsaw who one of the women were based upon her article.
DeleteWhen one reads about Alex Salmond, or watch him on our television sets, one see how far back he has fallen since he was in the SNP. In truth, the Salmond of today is a relic of a past and less progressive era, and his attempts at drawing attention to himself, including forming his own party, are an object lesson in how not to retire gracefully from frontline politics.
ReplyDeleteIt may surprise you but I tend to agree that Salmond's time in front line politics is over. What annoys me is that the man is constantly vilified and held to standards of morality which are distinctly lacking among the assorted perverts and sleazebags who occupy the SNP benches at Holyrood and Westminster. As for your 'progressive' politics, I think that is what has led the SNP to where it is today where the interests of a tiny vocal minority have been prioritised and independence has been left on the back burner for 10 years. You seem to be happy with that, I'm not and, after voting SNP all my adult life, I wouldn't waste my breath on them anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhether we like it or not. The unionists are going to win the majority of seats at WM. Swimney will not do anything radical,therefore yes voters will not be inclined to vote.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt he will hang around after the bruising defeat. Then resign in 2025. Forbes nay get 2 years to turn it around for 2026. But she would need to be radical on independence. The support for that is there, but motivation is now the issue.
Do the SNP gamble and make it an independence election? I would suggest it might be there only hope.
Just to point out that Swinney has already addressed this and has clarified that he intends to fight the Holyrood election.
DeleteAnon 1144. So do you support any parties pro independence? In a GE with the FPTP system you really only have a hope by voting for the largest independence parties or abstain/ vote with the Brit unionists.
DeleteAnon 6:06am.
DeleteJust because he said that, doesn’t mean he will.
Also, the 2026 election could easily be a 2025 one if the December 2024 budget fails to pass, which it might.
Swinney has to balance Green support vs. limiting unpopular policies. Tories don’t want an election as they'd lose, but they’ve placed themselves firmly in the “vote for us if you hate the SNP / Independence” camp so I doubt they’d help pass a budget. Labour & Alex Cole-Hamilton want blood. Alba don’t have enough MSPs to pass or vote down a budget.
So it’s up to Greens. Will they make gender rubbish their red line? I think Swinney is capable enough to run a minority gov. until 2026, but the Greens are zealots, and any smart Unionist politician or journalist could find a way at to stir the pot between SNP and Green.
Despite the difficult times we’re going through at the moment, I remain confident independence will be achieved one day, and our great, great, great, great, great, great grandchildren will reap the enormous benefits that independence will undoubtably bring.
ReplyDeleteThink we’ll be onto our second nuclear world war by then.
DeleteI see former failed labour leader has been talking to some labour luvvies on the labour podcast. She states that “ Britain”.
ReplyDelete“I’m not sympathetic to independence, but what I do want is to rewire Britain. I want to change the voting system, I want greater devolution and I want employment law. I want immigration powers, I want to change the way that the fiscal framework operates in practice so that Scotland grows its economy,” can you imagine Starmer giving more powers to Scotland. She is delusional. Independence is the only way to control our destiny in partnership with others. Not dictated to by a labour government that Thatcher would be proud of.
Both the Tories and SNP are tired governments who’ve had their day. We urgently need change, with Labour government’s in both Westminster and Holyrood.
DeleteI’m pretty confident we shall get that in the next two years
Another tory MP ( MP fae Dover) joined Smarmer's Labour.. Ye cannae get a fag paper between them!
DeleteLabour will be a dismal disappointment and unpopular before you can say "pledge, what pledge?"
DeleteWhen it comes to dismal disappointments, the SNP are going to take some beating.
DeleteTory loves labour who loves the tories. R u a Tory? 1208pm
DeleteForbes as Deputy FM. Fair play to Swinney.
ReplyDeleteKate Forbes appointed deputy First Minister
ReplyDeleteThis comment chain rather helpfully sums up the key problem in the independence movement. People continue to retain a Team Sturgeon vs Team Salmond mindset, despite being yesterday's woman and man, respectively.
ReplyDeleteIt remains impossible to criticise Sturgeon without Salmond being invoked, and it remains impossible to criticise Salmond without Sturgeon being invoked. The two camps continue to be implacably incapable of criticising their chosen Dear Leader, when the truth is that neither of them will lead us to independence. Indeed, neither of them are likely to play an especially significant role in getting us there going forward.
Sturgeon factionalised the SNP in a way that would make most Labour politicians blush. She dithered and delayed, wasting year after valuable year until she was consumed in a cesspool of scandal. Salmond spent years rightly pointing out that courage was required and firm action should be taken. Yet when the golden opportunity to put Alba on the map presented itself to him in the form of the Rutherglen by-election, he chose not to put his money where his mouth was on courageous action. Instead, he promptly soiled his tartan trews and fled in the other direction.
Both of them have been guilty in recent years of talking the talk but not walking the walk, of choosing not the strike when the iron was at its hottest, of putting their own self-interest above the interests of their own respective parties. Both of them have surrounded themselves with a coterie of sycophantic yes men. Both of them have questionably family with the internal politics of their respective parties. As a result of their own missteps, both are now fading stars.
But nobody can be honest or clear-eyed about that, because we've all settled into our respective teams and mindless tribalism prevails.
The sooner you all stop throwing tantrums over the leaders of yesteryear, the better.
Prime case of the gleeful anti-SNP be careful what you wish for. Labour demanding SNP not allowed to participate in GE television reports along with 'other small parties'. You wish to airbrush out the SNP - then there you go. Success courtesy of your hero Starmer and the no doubt gleeful super strategists Alex Salmond and gang.
ReplyDelete