A political party is not in a good place when one of their MPs ends up in intensive care and the first thought of the leader and the people around him is: "aha, an opportunity!" Actually, it's exactly the sort of thing Keir Starmer would do, but this time it's the Tories and Douglas Ross.
Although David Duguid has not fully recovered, he clearly feels that he's well enough to stand in the general election and he had the backing of his constituency association in doing so. But the leadership have taken cynical advantage of his ill health, unceremoniously sacked him, and replaced him as Tory candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East with...their leader Douglas Ross, who doesn't actually need a Westminster seat because he has a Holyrood one and is supposed to be leading his party there (when he takes an occasional break from his day job as a football linesman, that is).
The cover story is that Duguid is "unable to stand" due to ill health, but that would only have worked if Duguid himself went along with it, which he hasn't - he's made clear he intended to stand, was well enough to stand, but was sacked. But they presumably must have expected him to play along, so why? Maybe they offered him a peerage but he told them where to stick it.
What is going on here? I can think of two explanations -
1) Douglas Ross knows his time as leader is drawing to a close and thinks Holyrood isn't a big enough stage for him as a backbencher, so is selfishly turning his party's campaign upside down so he can continue with his Westminster career.
or
2) He realises the Tories' remaining six seats in Scotland are under threat, particularly now that Farage's return threatens to split the vote, and has convinced himself that he can shore things up by "leading from the front". But that strikes me as very dangerous territory. Among Tory voters he's not as popular as Ruth Davidson was, and among non-Tory voters he's distrusted and loathed. David Duguid, by contrast, is a remarkably likeable guy for a Tory MP, and represented the sort of constituency where the personal vote can matter to some extent. I wouldn't be surprised if at least some of his sympathisers in the constituency vote SNP as a protest against the appalling way he's been treated.
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I've profiled the constituency of Bathgate and Linlithgow for The National - you can read it HERE.
Douglas Ross should be allowed to stand for all the constituencies, the boy doesn't have enough money to retire on yet
ReplyDeleteDuguid would be , if he wins be my (redrawn boundary) constituency MP, his constituency party members have been working like dogs for him to the extent I am aware of at least two leaflets with his name front and centre that have come through the door plus a letter delivered by the postie all of that well before Sunak's declaration, so it will seem odd to suddenly get a vote Ross leaflet
ReplyDeleteIt makes it all the more disappointing that Alex Salmond was too chicken to stand. His timid approach comes at a time when an insipid election is crying out for the dynamism and personality that was once his forte.
ReplyDeleteEven Farage spotted the opportunity and took it.
I know, it’s strange Salmond isn’t standing.
DeleteI fear Alba are going to do more bad than good to the independence movement in this election.
It raises the awkward question of what motivates Alba. The motivation seems to be damaging SNP rather than getting parliamentary representation. Otherwise why is A S not standing?
DeleteHe's not standing because in a FPTP election he would be heavily defeated, and that would harm his chances of becoming an MSP in 2026. The same thought process led him to run away from the Rutherglen election. It's all about 2026 for him, which begs the question of why Alba are standing in the general election at all when there are so many risks attached.
DeleteI think the answer is the motivation I commented on above. By 2026 Alba will possibly have gone. Perhaps a real list only party motivated by the best interests of Scotland will arise from its Ashes.
Delete@12:24 - That's what happens when two MPs end up being the most influential members of the party. There was no one else to counterweight them until Regan defected, so only Salmond could stop them from committing Alba to a Westminster election.
DeleteAnd Salmond wouldn't do that, because then he wouldn't have any parliamentarians campaigning for his party.
If Alex Salmond stood: Proof that Salmond only cares about his own ego and splitting the pro-indy vote. Alba only exist to help the unionists!
DeleteAlex Salmond doesn't stand: Salmond is too chicken to stand, what's the point of Alba?
Is there any situation where he can come across favourably?
He's entitled to stand in the Scots Parliament if he wants to. Unsure what the big deal is.
DeleteAlba are primarily a Scots Parliament party. FPTP isn't the election for them.
Well said at 2.35pm
DeleteIf he wore a scarf he would be criticised. If he wore no scarf people would say he was showing off. Same with many articles of clothing. And of jewellery and of items known as face furniture. You could extend the whole fiasco to personal items such as cars, books and toy totem poles and almost anything you could think of.
Yeah from what I can see Alba standing or not won't make much difference in the General Election.
DeleteThe Greens will likely get more votes and looking at the polls a lot of pro-indy voters (I think it was something like 16% in a recent one) will either be staying at home or voting Labour.
But by standing that raises their profile, gets them involved in debates/commentary surrounding the election, presumably allows them to air a Party Political Broadcast etc. Basically they can use this election as a springboard for the one in 2026.
It won't make any difference. This is what exasperates me about the SNP - they constantly attack Alba as both an irrelevance and a threat simultaneously.
DeleteThe fact is there is no evidence in the polls of vast numbers of ex SNPers defecting to Alba, most have just given up on the SNP in despair. Leave us to vote as we see fit without the lectures about how we are destroying the dream of independence.
A lot of people seem to think all Alba should be doing is encouraging everyone to vote SNP and get behind their laughable strategy wholeheartedly…
DeleteIf they actually did that I would then be questioning what the point of Alba was, especially after the SNP slapped away every olive branch Alba has ever offered.
And even if they did that it still wouldn't win many people back as like I said previously around 16% of pro-indy voters at present don't intend to vote SNP, Green or Alba. The SNP don't want to address why that is, it's just easier to blame someone else.
The SNP aren't blaming Alba for anything. They're not even mentioned and their support is not going to make a difference.
DeleteYou've grasped the 16% point though. That is the electorate which matters. The labour switch voter and the scunnered voter.
The SNP would need to do something radical to win some of that 16% back imo.
DeleteI think it's clear the emotional blackmail of 'The SNP needs to win or independence is dead' argument isn't working on them and if anything turns them off further as no one wants to be guilt tripped into voting a certain way. People need to feel positive when casting their vote.
They do. The whole movement has become very inwards looking and quite negative.
DeleteIt's not as punchy and positive as it used to be. Negativity only gets you so far.
Anon4:08, What are you smoking? On this comment alone there are half a dozen 'mentions' of Salmond or Alba which are anything but approving, and this is reflected on here on a daily basis. Might I suggest a trip to Specsavers?
DeleteSome relentless posters does not the snp make. I'm sure there is antipathy but I don't think the snp blame alba for the predicament they are in
DeleteAre you the same that that wrote 'methinks" earlier. Oscar Wilde's reputation is safe.
DeleteAnon5:34, Meanwhile Salmond continues to have his reputation traduced on here on a regular basis (anon@6:57) by people who obviously know nothing about the evidence that was produced in court but rely instead on the msm version of events. Ironic given the press bias they complain so much about.
DeleteAnd they shouldn't traduce an innocent man's reputation. I do t agree with that.
DeleteI was merely saying I don't believe the SNP think Alba are to blame for where they are. They've done that themselves getting arrested and whatnot.
The DRoss is quite transparent . He dislikes all things Scottish , hates the SNP ; he despises oor languages and culture. He loves himself.
ReplyDeleteAnd is known locally to be as thick as Duguid.
DeleteIt's a bonkers decision by the Scots Tories. It also shows how rubbish Ross is as their "leader", about as good Yousaf was, a very low bar indeed.
ReplyDeleteNS always benefited as SNP leader by the self-inflicted defeats suffered by SLAB, Scots LibDems & Scots Tories. Perhaps Swinney is starting to benefit from the same? Sarwar does not come across as much of a champion for Scotland, more like a loyal lieutenant in Starmar's grand army. Talking of whom, Starmar never got the pulse of Scotland, assuming he even looked. The LibDems are now almost irrelevant so I won't bother with the blether on them.
There's an opportunity here, are we going to grasp it? Or just shout at each other?
Brian
The LibDems are the crowd that used to call themselves the Liberals, are they? They're like Tories but with a caring concerned smile. Labour are like the Tories too, only no smile and more Sirs.
DeleteRob here, I think I'm right in saying only the SNP, Labour and the tories have their hats in the ring for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, so far. I don't blame Alba/Alex Salmond for not rushing to stand here in his old seat - who else could? If he does have his eyes on 2026, that'll be after his court case with serious implications for the SNP has played out. Hopefully going some way to clearing his name.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea when a decision to proceed to trial or to drop the Murrel case will appear, or when we'll have clarity on charges - or not - against others. That nothing of any legal/criminal embarrassment to the SNP will appear before 4.July is implausible.
For what it's worth, after a spell of scunneration with them all, I'm persuaded by the vote-for-someone-Indy arguments. It'll be a struggle if my only option is SNP, but the polls haven't opened yet.
I think you’ll find the case against Murrell will continue for as long as is politically expedient. As for A S’s case don’t have too much in the way of expectation.
DeleteI think that's wishful thinking on your part, Salmond has won twice in court already.
DeleteYou clearly misunderstand.
DeleteSturgeon, and everyone in her gang, including the alphabetties should be made by the courts to publicly apologise to Salmond for their disgraceful conduct. Her gang also includes Sandy Brindley, the mouthpiece (big mouth) for the alphabetties, who is funded by the Scottish government.
DeleteCue nicophants foaming and raging.
Most people are just laughing at you.
DeleteIfS if only salmond had gone home that night to his wife. You have little understanding of how the courts work. Mind you Salmonds lawyer had to apologise. You heard of defamation?
DeleteATTN: InfoSco
DeleteHelp is available to help cope with rage caused by anxiety. I should know because I share DRFN.
Anon at 6.57pm - what night are you referring to numpty. Date please and significance of night. Or are you just posting pish because thst is what is between your ears.
DeleteNumpty anon says I have little understanding of how the court's work and how exactly do you know that?
" You heard of defamation" - just how do you defame an anonymous numpty?
Has KC introduced a new name in to his lexicon of Little Britain diddies. Aye I'm referring to the Pidgeon leaving its little droppings on SGP.
DeleteAnon6:57, If only Woman H had actually been at Bute House that night, the jury might have believed her story. Unfortunately for you, she wasn't and they didn't.
DeleteIt seems harsh to drop Duguid when he was up for contesting the seat. To be ditched because he is in hospital is a bit brutal. Not sure it is a good look or move by Ross. However, just about everything the Tories seem to do in this election seems to be half cocked.
ReplyDeleteI never used to be in the all politicians are the same category but they really are, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteWhat have any of them achieved for anybody outside of a few marginally gains since 2014? Childcare and a few bus passes don't cut it. Elderly care is a disgrace, state of high St, ordinary people having to go private for health care.
at least it's sunny today.
You’re running with a unionist trope designed to normalise their appalling behaviour. Not helpful and not accurate.
DeleteIt's the snp as much as unionists I'm decaying. Damn right it's accurate. Demoralising but true. Why did Sturgeon have her husband on over 100k a year?
DeleteDecaying? What are you trying to say? Mail/Express inspired tropes help only the unionists.
DeleteIt got dumped fairly sharpish once the likes of Stuart Mcdonald and Co started sniping about it as soon as it was announced.
ReplyDeleteIronically when it was announced the SNP were riding high and on course for 50 percent. Since they dumped it and it goes onto their record, folk rightly want to hold them to account.
The defacto snipers demented their own campaign as nobody knows what their about now.
I do find it odd how many in the SNP have selective memories, following the Supreme Court judgement Nicola Sturgeon essentially said that the Section 30 Order route was dead and the only option left available to us was a de-facto referendum.
ReplyDeleteThey all seem to have forgotten that and are back to supporting 'one more mandate' as for some reason the 'majority of seats' will this time make Westminster see the error of their ways and grant us another referendum out of their respect for Scottish democracy.
Or we've got the ones who've just skimmed over the SNP's plan and mistakenly believe if they get the majority of seats they'll just declare independence.
The S C application was and remains part of a process, and was essential. Understanding the process is clearly well above your pay grade. You stick to making things up and talking nonsense.
DeleteThe op isn't me but I'd politely replied to anon 12.26 that I understand it's part of the process, but they have allowed the electorate to believe it's also the end of the process and a brick wall. The defacto route is ultimately the option if a clear majority for section 30 is refused and should be a fully understood part of the process you mention.
DeleteAbhainn
Yeah Sturgeon said she'd go down the one word manifesto, defacto route. She literally did say this.
ReplyDeleteThen wee wannabe intellectuals in her own party cast the only viable route, even as a pragmatist I can see it, as some sort of folly.
What she didn't do was make sure the rest of the movement were with her solidly when she said it.
There is absolutely nothing for the SNP to lose by saying every UK GE is a test of the union in our eyes. And it's upto the people to vote for us of they share that view.
They can't be in power in London anyway so it literally is the main reason for voting SNP anyway. Not so in Holyrood where they bring forward legislation on the daily aspect of our lives.
It's ready made. But the slippersville MPs thought let's not rock the boat my dear. For their own reasons..
They'll be looked after though. Don't you worry.
Mad as it sounds I don't loathe Douglas Ross.
ReplyDeleteAlex Cole Hamilton... on the other hand. He makes me feel ill.
I agree. Dougie is a bit on the thick side, and extremely irritating, but ACH is the very personification of vanity.
DeleteIt's so strange to me anyone would vote for him. One of those people you can tell is a twit from the moment he opens his mouth.
DeleteRoss has had a good turn as leader in Edinburgh and probably does quite understandably not want to see his future there as it's unlikely he would be in government.
ReplyDelete'night of the long sgian dubhs'
ReplyDeleteStaggeringly witty.
DeleteAll new polls today have SNP on 3% or 4% UK wide, It's steady
ReplyDeleteHow are Alba going to do more bad than good? (according to some posters). In some seats they are the only indi party. The SNP are not an indi party. So red Labour or Yellow Labour are both two cheeks of the same arse. Either of them winning or losing makes not a Jot of difference.
ReplyDeleteAlba don't figure in this election any more than the family party.
DeleteThere are about 40k people who are invested in Alba/independence debates and snp online. It doesn't translate to the wider population.
It may seem noisy amongst our own political chats but they'll neither hinder nor help. Simply doesn't touch the sides I'm afraid.
Anon at 716pm To say the snp is not an independence party is a lie and insulting to its many supporters and members.
DeleteThanks for this, I didn't realise it was Duguid and he'd been sacked.
ReplyDeleteThe Tories are vile, vile. And Ross is a disgusting vile vulturous weasel to steal the candidacy from Duguid, supposedly one of his party.