A "senior party figure with knowledge of MacAskill's complaint", who is plainly the leaker, is quoted as saying Mr Salmond was "completely taken aback by Kenny’s behaviour...Alex no longer trusted Kenny after feeling so betrayed...He was deflated by the unfounded accusations....The reality is that even though he had managed to talk Kenny down from his inexplicable frenzy, Alex no longer trusted him and from then on – although he put on a brave face for the wider party – he did not forget and there had not been a close relationship since then..."
I mean, by God this guy is trying his best, but his efforts must be doomed to failure. Very few Alba members are going to believe that Mr Salmond's own widow, sister and niece would be unaware of Mr Salmond expressing such bitterness and distrust towards Mr MacAskill. He was not exactly the sort to bottle things up. Instead, the Salmond family all seem entirely satisfied that he would have wanted Mr MacAskill to succeed him.
So who could this apparently rather desperate leaker be? The MacAskill camp seem to know exactly who he is, and describe him as a "disgruntled employee". We know from the Sunday Mail's description that he is "senior" within the party. How many party employees could really be considered "senior"? Chris McEleny himself could possibly fit that description as General Secretary. Who else could? I can't think of anyone off the top of my head.
The leaker would also have needed access to the emails, and one person who would obviously have access to them is the person Mr MacAskill sent them to. Given that he seemingly didn't send them to Mr Salmond, and given that they contained his resignation, it seems overwhelmingly likely that he sent them to either the General Secretary (Chris McEleny) or the Party Chair (Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh). But the General Secretary is a party employee, and the Chair is not. Hmmmmmmmm.
And which Alba employees are really "disgruntled" anyway? Remember that Kenny MacAskill recently sent out an email to Alba members pre-announcing the abolition of the posts of General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary, which are currently held by Chris McEleny and Corri Wilson respectively. Mr McEleny did give the impression of being somewhat disgruntled about that (understandable given that he's losing his salary), because he later sent out his own very lengthy email to members trying to reframe his departure as a noble "resignation", without even acknowledging that his position was being abolished - suggesting that he refused to accept the validity of Mr MacAskill's decision.
The "disgruntled employee" would of course also need to have been motivated to commit the leak by having a vested interest in Mr MacAskill losing the leadership election. We know that Chris McEleny had bet the house by allying himself to Ash Regan before the Salmond family ruined everything for him by backing Kenny MacAskill.
So who COULD this leaker be? It's quite the mystery, isn't it. I must say I'm stumped. One thing is clear, though - whoever it is must surely be facing expulsion, because they have caused tremendous injury to the party in the eyes of the public, probably more injury than anyone else has ever caused in the party's four-year history. And "causing injury to Alba in the eyes of the public" is Chris McEleny's all-purpose reason for seeking the expulsion of members. Doubtless this shocking case will be no different. Let us pray this awful leaker, this senior disgruntled employee, is hunted down and punished mercilessly.
* * *
Coming up in future installments of "THE ALBA FILES"...
* How Chris McEleny abused his powers to get an Alba member expelled for making a joke about him on Twitter
* Tasmina And The Written Word
* The rigging of the 2023 Alba internal elections
...plus much, much more. Stay tuned.
This can only have been possible if the Alba Party had incredibly weak internal procedures.
ReplyDeletePrecisely what the 'Wee band of malcontents ' were calling for.
Constitutional reform.
No wonder they were hounded with all the ferocity the cornered rats could muster.
Yes the malcontents were ostracised, bullied and smeared.
DeleteBut none of them went to the unionist press
Is it just me or doesn't those leak emails provide more reasons for wanting Kenny MacAskill to win?
ReplyDeleteHe was obviously Alex's close friend but that didn't stop him from taking a stance against him if he thought he was wrong? After his passing many had commented that's exactly the kind of person Alex wanted around him during his time as First Minister: Those not afraid to speak out and suggest different approaches.
The effort being put into stopping Kenny from becoming leader is starting to give me hope if he does.
When the convener of the finance committee effectively does nothing about fraud why would anyone want him as party leader?
DeleteTasmina Ahmed-Sheik is responsible for HQ operations, so if employees were diverted to a private enterprise, that buck stops with her. The media company she partnered with Salmond is in a much healthier financial position than the party
ReplyDeleteThe buck stops with Taz. But she also enjoyed the high life with Salmond
DeleteChampagne
Lavish Dinners
5 star hotels
She joined him at meetings with other politicians and broadcasters.
He provided a lifestyle for her she could never obtain on her own and a political party she had control over.
It was a very one sided relationship where Taz got a lifestyle and a political party - what did Salmond get?
How the other half live.
DeleteHer friendship was reward enough
DeleteIs that a euphemism?
DeleteI'd rather take part in a Chanel No 5 advert with that bloody Keira Knightley.
DeleteSurely the point is that the Alba Party itself was a party, in some ways, being used as a front as an independence supporting political party and a somewhat 'other' body to enable Mr Salmond's personal business and extracurricular intentions - which is why so many have always been dubious about Alba. The identity of 'the leaker' is not the important thing here, it's confirmation of Alba's existence having a dual role in the great scheme of things - which is something very few people have ever doubted - and which is one reason why many many have had doubts about supporting or voting for Alba - or having any confidence in lending it financial support. Especially those members who were altruistically giving it their last £££ which they could barely afford - on the basis of declarations of open-ness, integrity and an alleged 'the dream shall never die' leader whose alleged publicly declared sole motivation in life was to pursue independence for Scotland and that alone and who at one point declared nobody had made the sacrifices he had in order to achieve it!!!!
ReplyDelete100%
DeleteHow was that his "alleged" motivation though?
DeleteHe frequently travelled making political ties and promoting Scottish independence to the international community (we will need all the allies we can get).
We know that's exactly what he was doing just mere hours before his passing and like that conference he attended he didn't go out of his way to make a big show out of the fact that he was there.
Salmond needed expenses, staff and a platform to continue his advocacy for Scottish independence - fair enough no one grudged him that but when it became a commercial venture with Tasmina then their was an obvious conflict
DeleteWhy was a husband and wife a Big mistake running the SNP but partners in a commercial venture not a huge mistake running Alba
Even Salmond’s memorial today is being filmed for a future episode of Scotland Speaks
What a nasty post , full of falsehoods and lies
DeleteJune, there's a fair few really nasty Anon posts, but they're probably all by one or two paid unionists - poor stool pigeons who look yearningly into a mirror and see only Kermit the Frog.
DeleteKnee deep!
Criticising Saint Alex ? Tut tut.
ReplyDeleteObviously didn't leave much of an impact since the Salmond family are backing Kenny for leader.
DeleteKenny should go back to SNP.
ReplyDeleteWhy would he? It hasn't changed.
DeleteSwinney and the cabal still in charge, making the party more undemocratic daily. And, more importantly, still no plan to achieve Scotland's Cause!
Returning to a place from which you left because of its shortcomings merely endorses the stance of thos ein charge.
There are no Indy folk in the SNP. Why would an Indy guy go there? Devolution is the SNP goal and they have achieved it, only salary and pension to be harvested now.
DeleteJune Calder.... the living embodiment of John Cleese's "cloth-eared-bint."
DeleteJune Calder. Same initials as Juan Carlos, the crooked old mangler who used to be the king of Spain. Something fishy here.
DeleteKenny should join the ISP, if it's good enough for IfS then it's got enough for Kenny !
DeleteAnon at 4.05pm - I am not a member of ISP or any party. A stupid pointless comment by anon.
DeleteAh, you just greet about everyone and everything but do nothing for independence.
DeleteGreetin faced auld bowfer
DeleteApart from the nepotistic sewage it sounds very much like a party leader committing fraud.
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily him. It would be whoever actually arranged and paid for any non-authorised spending - leaders rarely use the cheque book, it's more their designated assistants.
DeleteTasmina Ahmed-Sheikh handled all the arrangements and paid
DeleteShe also directed HQ staff
AS would know what’s going on.
DeleteApart from the nepotistic sewage it sounds very much like a party leader committing fraud to further his career in entertainment.
ReplyDeleteThat's show business !
DeleteIf the intention was to help promote a relatively little known party and its Independence policy by exposure of its well known leader at the Edinburgh Fringe, it becomes marketing.
DeleteA bit similar to Sturgeon and her helicopter and Road show including at the Hydro. Few would argue that that was a bad use of party funds - the SNP got 56 MPs elected in 2015.
DeleteThe show's main promotion was for the ex-speaker of the House of Commons. I have no idea if Tazmina & Alex's production company produced it, nor do I care.
Delete" in which Kenny MacAskill criticises Alex Salmond for diverting party funds into his Edinburgh Fringe show"
ReplyDeleteAn honest man would always get my vote if I was a member, and wanted my party money to be spent on - duh, my party.
It's also beginning to explain why MacAskill is apparently taking no action in your case - if he tried he would be obstructed.
I think that an honest man would report it to the police.
DeleteDeleted Anon: I do understand your desperation to discredit me, but I'm not sure criticising me for not revealing information about Alba *before my expulsion* is the most promising tack, especially given that the official reason for my expulsion was a (bogus) allegation of breaching confidentiality. The reality is that I did my best to alert Alba members that something was amiss, while remaining within confidentiality rules. That was all I could realistically do.
ReplyDeleteNoted that the leak was to the Unionist paper Sunday Mail.
ReplyDeleteNot the first time. McEleny has been quoted quite a few times, he seems to be the DM's regular go to.
DeleteThe blessings of January to you all, my most magnificent of companions.
ReplyDeleteQuality sentiment, Zulfs.
DeleteAlmost right Zulfs but I’m afraid McEleny is expelled from the Wee Gang due to his closeness to unionist press.
DeleteThe Malcontents have standards
We will 😀
DeleteThis is a completely ham-fisted attempt to discredit Kenny, and as a member of Alba, I am absolutely furious with whoever is responsible for this. This kind of behaviour is not just petty but deeply damaging to the party. I have been reliably informed this morning that Regan is also furious about the leak and knows all too well who has done this. There is no doubt in my mind that the perpetrator is acting out of self-interest, seeking to ensure their own relevance within the party and secure the top spot on the list in their preferred region.
ReplyDeleteThis isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of behaviour, and it’s both undignified and unprofessional. It harms Alba’s reputation and undermines the hard work of members who are focused on building the party’s credibility and success. Let’s not be naïve about their intentions. This isn’t about independence, Alba, or Regan—it’s about their own ambitions. They are deliberately creating grievances from which they alone stand to benefit, not the party.
If Kenny wins, there’s every expectation that they’ll storm off in a huff, poisoning the well on their way out and defecting to the next opportunity. Their actions suggest a willingness to prioritise their own standing over the party’s success, and this needs to be called out for what it is: self-serving, not selfless. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re already scouting for their next political venture. Anyone got Mr Farage’s number handy?
I remain undecided on who to vote for in this leadership election. I have respect for both candidates, and I want to see a clean, professional contest where the focus is on policies, strategy, and vision for the party. Alba’s internal governance has been woeful, and this situation underscores the urgent need for reform. We need better policies that resonate with Scotland’s needs, high-quality candidates who reflect the best of what Alba can offer, and a targeted, achievable strategy to maximise votes in 2026.
This kind of infighting and backstabbing does nothing but tarnish the party’s image and distract from its purpose. Alba must move forward as a united front, with members who are focused on achieving our shared goals—not dragging us into the mud for personal gain
Well said.
Delete"I am absolutely furious with whoever is responsible for this"
DeleteIt's McEleny, let's be honest. He's barely even attempted to cover his tracks this time.
McEleny is responsible for many members being bullied out of the party.
DeleteOne example is Jacqui Bijster another Ashley Miller another Heather McLean.
Tasmina became jealous of Denise Findlay and bullied her out.
Yet many remaining members instead of asking what was going wrong ? Branded them as a wee gang of malcontents
They abused them on social media. Othered them. Leanne Tervit was called a racist.
Do these members really deserve to suceed after the way they have treated people who worked so hard for the party ?
Anon at 7.01. McEleny. There you are.
DeleteIf Ash does not approve of the story in the Sunday Mail, she can demonstrate that by modifying her list of staff. If she fails to do so , I will conclude she approved the story.
DeleteJune Calder
DeleteThis is nothing to do with Ash. She wasn’t even a member of Alba at this time. Nor has it anything to do with her staff
This Kenny questioning whether Salmond and Tasmina were misusing party staff and funds. After which he backed down it’s not clear why
There were others with the same questions and these questions were never satisfactorily addressed
Ash Regan needs to channel her inner Khrushchev and publicly denounce McEleny for the leak. It's her only remaining chance. Her best course of action would be to personally submit a complaint against him and be seen to have initiated the process leading to his expulsion. It'll be brutal, but as with Ceausescu before him, he probably needs to be seen to suffer the same grisly fate as so many of his victims.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she's on a trust journey.
DeleteI agree. She needs to denounce this leak without delay. This move has been counter productive, and has holed her chances of winning this election unless she publicly distances herself from this idiot. The person who leaked needs to resign their position with immediate effect. Their presence in this election is no different to that of Murrell in the 2023 SNP leadership election and will cause lasting damage to Alba. The results of this leadership election will be mired with credible accusations of bias and will endlessly split the party.
Delete'In the name of God, go!'
Agreed. She would recover some credibility. She is photogenic and personable. Second in command to McKaskill would be your best bet. As someone backing SNP I hope it doesn’t happen, as do others.
DeleteVote for Regan she’s photogenic! So no policies then.
DeleteOh yes, we in the SNP are VERY WORRIED about Ash Regan. PLEASE don't pick her. (Wink.)
DeleteAnon at 8.23. She has no clue about policy. Have you not heard her? But she has an appeal, and voters are what they are. You clearly do not understand what I say and more importantly why I say it. I can’t be bothered explaining it to you.
DeleteAnon at 8.25. Whooosh.
DeleteThis is nothing to do with Ash Regan. She wasn’t even an Albs member at the time
DeleteIt’s a smear to take people’s attention from the accusations made by Kenny and why he backed down
And the leaker
The smearing tactic is dirty politics
In general it's very hard to prove or even allege fraud, as there has to be provable deliberate action to commit fraud. In the old days even issuing a cheque knowing it would bounce was hard to prove, as the issuer could claim they expected to deposit funds in time, at least for the second bounce!
ReplyDeleteAs for misuse for funds, if I go on a business trip and my wife comes with me, and she gets a new customer - was that a business or pleasure trip for me, and / or for her, as far as the HMRC are concerned? What was the primary purpose of the trip?
Unless it’s SNP. Then it’s guilty without trial. You are a consumate hypocrite.
DeleteShock horror. Murrell ultra-loyalist and traitor to Scotland is trying to destroy Alex Salmond's legacy.
ReplyDeleteGenuinely no one has any idea who you're talking about.
DeleteAnybody know what the Anonymous post at 4:41 was all about?
DeleteOK Stu
DeleteWhat are you gibbering about?
ReplyDeleteStrappling. Total quivning. Total.
DeleteI read the article. The intent is clear. The result is the opposite, I think. Probably Kenny is the winner here, he comes out looking very reasonable and responsible. Which I very much doubt was the intention.
ReplyDeleteEven as someone who has never, and shall never, vote for the Alba Party, I hope he becomes their leader. A decent bloke, albeit one paddling a rapidly sinking canoe.
If McAskill can turn Alba into what it's meant to be, I'll join.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s it meant to be. The anti murrel party?
DeleteThe Extra Mural Party
DeleteThe Muriel Munchkin Party
DeleteHere's an example of how journalist maths works. From the herald:
ReplyDelete"... our published membership at June 1 was 64,525 and this trend — both in terms of numbers and income — has continued into the second half of the year. ... With 4,000 members quitting each year since 2023, a continuation of that trend suggests the party will now have a membership of 60,000"
Wait, what, eh? June 1 2024 to now is less than 8 months - 65% of a year say. 65% of 4,000 is 2,600. Take this away from 64,525 and you get 61,925.
So I have a deal for Andrew - if he gives me £61,925 I'll give him back £60,000. Deal or no deal? Double or quits?
Gibberish. Give it a rest.
DeleteOK, dunce at 7:35.
DeleteI thought Yi2 you couldn’t give SGP a penny.As for your post it was described as gibberish. I think that is too generous.
DeleteThought made a fool of you
DeleteI see YIR2’s wee “pal” is doing overtime. Two posts critical of YIR2. Two anon (cough cough) responses by the same anon. It’s almost endearing that he is that stupid.
DeleteHe made a great speech at conference. We can all agree.
DeleteThe front page of the Sunday Mail was about a convicted killer in prison being released to get cosmetic surgery to look less like a man. That’s right a transwoman who is a killer getting public funds spent on him/her (take your pick). Outrageous spend when money in government is supposed to be short and people have to wait a long time for operations. Somebody should get the sack over this but they won’t and this nonsense is part of Sturgeon’s trans legacy.
ReplyDeleteFront page of the Mail? And you believe it? Let me guess. “An insider said”!followed by an SNP bad diatribe? Stop being so gullible and doing the unionists work for them .
DeleteAm I on the wrong thread, thought this story was about Alba? how the f''k do you go from Kenny McAskill to a trans woman prisoner?
DeleteHave your ever seen them in the same room? Lol
DeleteIt's in the Sunday Mail - it must be true. (Snigger snigger)
DeleteReform bullshit
DeleteSNP numpties declaring that the front page in the Sunday Mail which illustrates what Sturgeons gang are doing in Scotland must be untrue but the other story in the Sunday Mail which is negative about Alba is just accepted as true.
DeleteBritnat papers lie but they don't lie just in the way that SNP numpties want to believe.
Both stories are probably true.
Ifs supports the unionist press. No surprise.
DeleteOf course IFS supports the unionist press. She's an ardent British nationalist. I think she's actually Dame Jackie Baillie or fellow Tory Countess Ruth Davidson.
DeleteSNP Anon trolls mad at IFS for pointing out their hypocrisy. One of them actually claims to think. Unlikely based on the evidence of their comments.
DeleteThis looks like it is all coming to a sad end. Salmond now gone, they are using Unionist media to undermine each others leadership bid, if i'm an Alba member ( im not) then this is unforgiveable, and the writing is now clearly on the wall.
ReplyDeleteI don’t see that Chris would have leaked this. It is far too obvious a move. Who gained? Kenny who comes out looking principled. Kenny is a front for the Salmond Family and there is a far more likely character in that grouping that would have leaked to damage Chris
ReplyDeleteChris and Ash. They are tying Chris to Ash to damage her
DeleteNice try McEleny (or minion thereof) but a bit obvious. You are quite stupid on top of everything else. The good news is Alba are finished, if indeed they ever started. A list vote party interested in promoting Independence is what we need, not an anti SNP party. Does it exist? PS. ISP need not apply.
Delete"Who gained? Kenny who comes out looking principled."
DeleteThe simplest explanation is usually the correct one, and the simplest explanation here is that McEleny is a bit dim, or at the very least too one-dimensional in his thinking to spot how this was going to backfire on him. I have no doubt whatever that McEleny was the leaker.
Hard to disagree. He isn’t the brightest. If it contributes to the rapid demise of Alba he should be thanked.
DeleteHas he gone now? Is it safe for me to sneak out the back door?
DeleteAgree with Anonymous January 27, 2025 at 10.05am. This alleged 'leak' promotes McAskill positively and reinforces recent guilt-trip seeming interventions by the Salmond family which look like no negative narratives ever about Mr Salmond should ever be voiced in any context. It makes sense that the Salmond family would want to be seen to promote McAskill as leader because party leader should get more press coverage AND unquestionable adoration from Yes supporters, attract more subs, but more so pedestal Mr McAskill in continuing the 'justice for Alex' strategy/cause/£3M payback - whatever. Ergo, stands to reason the Salmond family will have a dependency on Mr McAskill.
DeleteMcEleny - from a strictly neutral viewpoint, the smart strategist would set up a situation where knee-jerkers and cliques would naturally point to Mr McEleny as having been 'the leaker' - but common sense would suggest there would be no valuable benefit to Mr McEleny, either personally or politically to undertake this activity. One reason being the automatic responses given here and on social media. Far, far, too obvious. Leaking such a thing to this specific newspaper has a more professional automatic access and benefit patina to it than that which McEleny would appear to have.
The article is beneficial and complimentary only to Mr McAskill with his credentials being fully publicly supported by the Salmond family. So there is absolutely nothing negative implied towards Mr McAskill; indeed it is more of a smart piece of marketing for Mr McAskill.
Who knows, perhaps current conditions required a previously needed for certain purposes Mr McEleny to now be ejected from the scene. He is not a long time-served master strategist after all and it is doubtful that this particular newspaper would wish to pander to anyone as far down the public figure pool as Mr McEleny.
Smart pieces of work tend to come from smarter than your average bear - the ones who really know how to fuel the emotions and conspiracy and dirty tricks mindsets of their well oiled malleable audience - and a known to knee-jerk adoring malleable audience is always the most perfect fodder.
Scotland is a small place. Internal party relationships lend themselves to much clucking and clacking. Media know who to respond for to get them an in to other potential bigger prizes. Chris McEleny isn't anyone's big prize is he - especially if he's done the bit he was expected to and is now surplus to requirements in changed times?
100%
DeleteMcEleny is a fall guy and a distraction.
He distracted me when he fell over. Eek!
DeleteI suppose he could come on here or email their 20 members that “it wisnae me!”
ReplyDeleteIt wisnae me!!!
DeleteHow can a party with so few members afford to chuck people oot?
ReplyDeleteQuite easily if they neglect to cancel their direct debits.
DeletePloughed through all of this. A hugely disproportionate waste of energy in thinking and writing material with such a high drivel content. The basic point needed to be made but a thread of slaggings so long ? Daily Heil objective achieved perhaps ?
ReplyDeleteWhat positive contribution towards independence ??
...Alt Clot more like.
DeleteDaily Heil objectives identified and sent packing. Allowing the unionists free rein on here is not acceptable, however tempting it may be to want to ignore them and pretend they are not a problem.They are a problem, as evidence by the surge in support for Farage.
DeleteQuite embarrassing that a Scottish person has to be told this, but the Sunday Mail and the "Daily Heil" are completely separate things.
DeleteThey really aren't completely separate things. Not in the real world.
DeleteAlt Clut thinks the Sunday Mail is the Sunday edition of the Daily Mail, which in the real world it isn't.
DeletePoor alt clut. How the tide has changed.
ReplyDeleteConfidential is important to me
DeleteI see the mad dug pack are ganging up on Ken again, just for stating a well-known fact - that Musk is on the spectrum. We are the Borg, you will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.
ReplyDeleteWhere's seven of nine when you need her?
She married a Republican governor as I recall.
DeleteFunnily enough, Ken is the one who talks like an AI (from twenty years ago).
DeleteArtificial Insemination?
DeleteThe silver lining for our dear friend Chris: once he’s forced out of the party and completes his own personal journey to Reform, he’ll have a hell of a lot better chance at being elected tonight Holyrood than he’s ever had in Alba.
ReplyDelete(Tonight? Are you alright, iPhone?)
DeleteSo McLeny is going to become a unionist ?
DeleteHe’s apparently very interested in the rest of Farage’s agenda, going by the sudden change in Alba’s direction.
DeleteIf the shoe fits… and it’s miles ahead in the polls.
Miles ahead ? Such as 15% in Scotland? 😂
DeleteThat is very true. Maybe the homeless Indy supporters should all join reform, get elected and then announce they support independence and will vote for it in Holyrood
DeleteMiles ahead in the polls? Such a throwaway line. It isn’t in Scotland thankfully although I am sure there are right wing individuals willing to salute to Farage.
ReplyDeleteQuislings
DeleteColonels, baronesses and dentists
DeleteOh good grief, more outstanding maths from the Herald.
ReplyDelete" The most recent data shows the costs of the police investigation have so far amounted to £1.8 million.
That is more than three times the £666,000 of SNP donations being probed by officers. "
Ummm, no. That would have to be £2 million. Or less than £600,000 of SNP donations.
What chance is there if journalists can't even bother using a calculator if they can't do really really simple mental arithmetic?
I used to give the Herald to our kids for close reading. Sad decline.
They're doing it on purpose now to troll you.
DeleteI don't think they're clever enough to do that these days, though with some I think they've just given up waiting for their pensions.
DeleteJohn Swinney and Kate Forbes have given the SNP a boost. They deserve credit for that as it cannot be taken for granted.
ReplyDeleteThey are doing well.
“ A boost “ - that chocolate bar must be well out of date just like Swinney.
DeleteAnon 8.32: childish.
Delete10.05pm must prefer mars bars.
DeleteLots to look forward to!
ReplyDeleteI doubt McElney would pass Reform UK's candidate vetting. Their due dilligence will throw up James' evidence. I suspect that door is closed to McElney as will be many others. Hey ho the big wheel turns, FAFO and all that.
James will there be an Alba files part 6?
Robin McAlpine has written a piece ( well worth a read) on proposals to change the SNP leadership selection rules and cutting the branch dividend. Even the Rev has written a side piece!
It looks like James' hope of improving the SNP' chances by open debate are diminishing in proportion to their membership.
Will be interesting to see the next few polls and where Reform UK sit. There are other posters asking.. maybe it would be worthwhile looking at why Reform are making progress rather just shouting faaacist and far right?
Interesting James suggested that the easy way to combat Reform is to say they will privatise whole sale the NHS.. but have a look at their policy on the NHS. The have a basic rate tax cut proposed for all frontline health care and social care workers. A staff retention strategy which all sounds like good sense. Have a read at it and then comment... mind you that is wishfull thinking on my behalf!
No matter what your view Swinney is going to have to come up with a better resoned and costed offer! But the SNP have failed to deliver so often no one will believe them anyway.
"maybe it would be worthwhile looking at why Reform are making progress rather just shouting faaacist and far right?"
DeleteFinding that quite humourous after reading David Francis's comment below.
It wasn't you was it mummy?
ReplyDeleteShut it, you wee brat.
DeleteAfter everything I've done for you.. Changed my name to champagne Shannon just to please... the mouth will talk!
DeleteAnd...
DeleteYou said I'd never amount to anything but i've finished The Newcastle Coarse. Now i've got an Arabic tattoo on my arm. Yvonne hassent told me what it means but i think it looks cool.
I'm going to post another greeting cryptic video and this time it's outing you and your husband stealing SNP Facebook under Mr Tas directions!
DeleteHow you have decieved me Shannon!
You call him "Mr Tas" but you don't understand. He is a real old-fashioned gentleman. He says that I am the fragrance of the west and I could be in films!
DeleteAnd you are just an "Alba Maw". You couldn't get the top job because it went to a fat sparky!!
[*storms out and slams door three times*]
The World is really in some state at the moment.
ReplyDeleteWe have a narcissistic egomaniac in the White House, a BLATANT Fascist as the World’s richest human, a GENOCIDE/ETHNIC CLEANSING in Gaza being mostly excused by the West’s most powerful Governments as merely ‘Israel defending itself’, the recognised and respected ICC and UN undermined by the friends of Zionism as ‘irrelevant’, the co-incidental rise of the Hard Right in the UK under the guise of Reform and what remains of the Tory Party and Starmer’s Labour now enacting/keeping policies which would make Cameron blush.
On these islands, England appears to be sliding steadily rightwards, while Scotland – so far – remains pretty much centre-left.
Trouble is, there are presently too many in Scotland who try to ‘rationalise’ what Farage &Co REALLY stand for….and against.
Farage is a RACIST to his bootstraps and, as the IFS have recently pointed out, he will SHRED most Public Services with Reform’s fiscal policies, while allowing the Private Sector to get their greedy, corporate hands on the juciest bits of the NHS, sucking out huge profits and essential staff – and leaving the Public Sector to pick up the pieces.
Farage is just a BrexSHIT-Failure Mini-Trump, with a different Union Flag.
Stephen Flynn was absolutely correct – you do not appease the Hard Right, you fight that Human FILTH with everything you have.
And that thinking is why The Democrats lost so badly in the US, they tried to paint Trump as the devil and it spectacularly backfired.
DeleteDeconstruct their policy platform & offer a hopeful positive alternative with detailed plans on how to change things for the better. A positive hopeful campaign always has a better chance of success than a negative one, leave the gutter match to the right-wing as that's where they prospere.
We should be learning lessons to prevent a Trump like situation from happening here, rather than repeating the same mistakes that cemented it.
Garbage.
DeleteThat kind of Filth should be called-out and exposed for exactly what it is - and I sincerely hope Swinney and his team have the guts to do so.
I certainly will, on every platform and with every chance I get.
Just catching up on the btl the morning after. I think David was most of the way down a bottle by the time of his above post.
DeleteLol.
DeleteWrong, Dummy.......bit even if I had been, I would still be more cogent than Anon-Coward Dross like you.
When political opponents focus on attacking a candidate or Party instead of presenting a compelling alternative vision, it often backfires (like it did with Trump).
DeleteThat approach solidifies their base, making supporters feel defensive, energised, and more determined to vote. In the US by making Trump the centre of the critique, they amplified his presence and inadvertently helped him dominate the political conversation.
You get the impression David Francis is on the sauce when he’s posting on here.
Delete"You get the impression David Francis is on the sauce when he’s posting on here."
DeleteYOU are a total waste of space, an imbecile, someone with no opinion, unable to contribute anything worthwhile or interesting. I doubt very much if you've put your hand in your pocket for any pro-indy funding so you are also a non-productive parasite, with no brain cells, nothing to say, a total and utter bore, one of civilisation's deadheads. I'm going to store this posting and trot it out any time you trolls show your incredibly ugly anonymous faces.
Any questions?
Go on yoursel Dave big man and get yon ''FILTH'' telt. A few more folk with big baws like you and indy is a done deal.
ReplyDeleteSo finally having a look at Reform's main webpage (someone's got to do it), it's pretty good, with the "far right" bits not overstated. Things that could appeal to virtually anyone:
ReplyDelete1). the image with "Join the UK's fastest growing political movement today". Remember the SNP in 2014 after the Referendum?
2). "BRITAIN IS BROKEN". Who in the Indy movement would disagree?
3). "BRITAIN NEEDS REFORM." Well, no, it needs dissolution or at least, the UK does.
4). "both Labour and the Conservatives have broken promise after promise for the last 30 years". Who would disagree with that?
5). "You are worse off, both financially and culturally.". Sneaky. Instantly gets a YES to the first bit, and sneakily associates the second with it. The politically aware will understand what they mean by "culturally", many might not.
6). "Wages are stagnant, we have a housing crisis, our young people struggle to get on the property ladder, we have rising crime, energy bills are some of the highest in Europe, the NHS isn’t working, both legal and illegal immigration are at record levels and woke ideology has captured our public institutions and schools."
Starts off with something many / most could agree with, then once it's inside your personal space, goes off into immigrants and wokeness.
Anyways, they understand the importance of language in thought and action - language to generate a designed response. Few do. They also of course have the huge enormous advantage they have not failed in Government. Not yet.
Oh, and this at the end:
"Join the revolt.". Well now, and there's a call to action.
Basically speaking, the SNP need to learn from this. They can feel free to consider my material and use whatever of it they want!
We need protest songs like there was in the Vietnam war. That ended that and a lot more.
DeleteSNP is doing well at the polls so don't think any need to take lessons from Refoem which has a different philosophy.
DeleteI'm not so sure about that. What we should do is what I call the Woolies Sweetie Counter Approach. It maybe new but it sure work. Others call it Pick n Mix. You pick and you mix. And hey presto!
Delete"SNP is doing well at the polls"
DeleteNot really. SNP at 35% constituency compared to the 2021 election at 47.7%. And 31% on the list compared to 40.3% in 2021.
If you want an overall majority government they need to do a lot better.
Yesindyref2 8.50am - well said. Some of these SNP propagandists need a reality check.
DeleteAll things are relative. They are beating labour and co compared to last years GE figures and will increase their share nearer to the HR.
Delete"All things are relative."
DeleteNow people think you must be a member of the Corri or Tas Family.
"SNP is doing well at the polls"
DeleteAlso worth keeping in mind that the SNP haven't really increased in the polls a great deal.
It has been more of Labour shooting themselves in the foot and becoming more unpopular rather than the SNP becoming more popular. It wouldn't take much for an alternative Party like Reform to target peoples dissatisfaction with both.
Scotland once again in grave danger of sleepwalking into putting its entire existence at risk
ReplyDeleteWe need a Reform ‘style’ movement
Popular vote winning anti political, political party. I’ve no time for the blatant racism being used in some instances to push these agendas BUT, manufactured fuel poverty and internal immigration causing a housing crisis for our young are issues to be exploited by a movement brave enough
I currently fear for Scotlands future!
Any future
Yeah, get lost pal
DeleteYou're quite right, Mark, but as these two anons jump in to prove: "Sssh! You said Farage, you racist!"
DeleteWe need something very different to the dozy, tired old shadow of a movement we still have on show. That applies to our thinking as well as the demographic of the few who still bother to turn out at events. Right now, independence feels like yesterday's idea. That's a decade of squandered opportunities and Wheesht For Indy's fault, but it is our situation.
Something has to wake folk up again, and our sleeping cause along with it.
He didn't even say Farage
DeleteOn you go “Mark” set up a reform style movement. Be brave! Never mind. It’s not so easy to do as saying things. ALBA has blown it.
ReplyDeleteHas Ash Regan commented on the press reports?
ReplyDeleteWhy would she ?
DeleteShe wasn’t even a party member at the time
Why not ask why Kenny did not back up the members of the NEC who raised these same questions ?
For a SNP member, you do seem to spend a lot of time and bandwidth talking about Alba, your obsession have not gone unoticed
ReplyDeleteI thought the post was about ALBA. The title is ALBA CLUEDO. Not unreasonable to ask if Regan has distanced herself from the recent leaks in the Brit press leaked by an ALBA insider. Your diversionary tactic has been ignored.
ReplyDeleteOh do shut up Nigel. We're always making plans for you.
DeleteIs “Nigel” a euphemism for a ALBA supporter?
DeleteWhen you've got (1,2,3,4,5) Census working undertime then you need to ask - for whose benefit?
Delete#MakingPlansForAngus
Encouraging to see strong immigration and positive population projections today into Scotland and a sign of the work SNP has undertaken to improve Scotland.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty who disagree in my area. When immigration is concentrated into a few areas and it comes from only one country and an older demographic, it is not a good thing at all.
DeleteThe immigration increases diversity which studies have shown is good for productivity in the work place. Immigration is therefore valuable to Scotland. The SNP are right to welcome and promote it.
DeleteAnon at 2.39. Can you expand on your claim that in a few particular areas older people from only one country anre arriving. And please confirm it is immigration and not asylum you are speaking about.
DeleteImmigration into Scotland is absolutely essential.
DeleteLooking at the just released National Records of Scotland Report, without immigrants, Scotland's population would have FALLEN by almost 50,000 in the last decade or so.
As it is, the projected Scottish Population growth to 5.8 Million by 2047 will be almost exclusively driven by the effects of immigration.
We NEED those extra citizens to contribute their taxes to help pay for our Welfare State and other Public Services, as our percentage of older folk continues to grow.
The 'demonisation' of immigrants by Farage and his Far Right Dross has been truly sickening to watch over the past decades and any Scot who buys into their partial, simplistic and repugnant rhetoric around that topic, is simply doing the Frf Right's job for them.
anglos are the worst immigrants, colonising settlers, economic exploiters - they need to be deported, then we can replace them all 1-1 with the third world demographic
Deletethe have funny food, weird ways and I can't understand a word they say
Deletebut are anglos really worse than "welsh" people from southport getting a bit stabby
Deleteyes
DeleteRidiculous and disgraceful post by anon@5:30pm.
DeleteAnon at 5:30
DeleteStop talking such utter pish.
Ta.
It’s a unionist arsehole trying to portray the Indy movement as anti English. Snide wee shitbag. Call him out.
Deletehttps://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24890885.budget-changes-revealed-scottish-government-agree-double-deals/
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, in the Herald, but it's a comment btl that inadvertently makes a perfect case for Independence, with this quote a perfect example of both the need for Independence with the first part, and the attempted Unionist spin put on things with the second but which is also partly true (think MMT and own currency):
"... have still to recognise the link between economic and entrepreneurial growth and levels of taxation - no government has ever taxed its way to prosperity.".
Incidentally, another btl "Lots of tails wagging the Dog this time" really describes exactly how inclusive government should work. Good compromises and small additions.
Sadly I don’t see any route to independence in the foreseeable future.
DeleteAw, poor you. Have an ice cream and the rest of us will get on with it.
Delete………”the rest of us will get on with it”.
Delete???????
How??
And answer came there none.
DeleteHow!
DeleteThe how doesn't matter, it's the friends we make along the way that's important!
DeleteI remain confident Scotland will be an independent country one day.
ReplyDeleteI’m also confident that a certain monster will stick his/her head above the surface of Loch Ness soon, providing an amazing photo opportunity for a very very lucky tourist.
You really are a dreadful bore.
DeleteJames Kelly is in "de Nile" about Nessie.
DeleteSo I'm presenting him with good photographic evidence of a typical Alba NEC member instead:
https://x.com/visualfeastwang/status/1791408976946491661
KC is a radge.
DeleteIt was the Sunshine Band that really made KC. That brass section was great especially on Shake Your Booty and I'm Your Boogie Man. He's a poor soul on his own.
DeleteJ Swinney and K Forbes have done a fantastic job as SNP leaders.
ReplyDeleteThey gave a great speech at Conference. We can all agree.
DeleteIf the SNP leadership were on The Traitors they would all be marked as faithfuls - faithful to the British state.
ReplyDeleteWhoop whoop whoopee. I have written the 200th comment. IFS will be livid. She Gates odd numbers.
DeleteIt can’t be long before Blackford’s wish is granted and the first batch of SNP troughers make their way into the House of Lords.
Delete