IN modern political times even a day seems like a long time in politics. Since midday on Monday the internet has been ablaze with comments from SNP MPs, MSPs, wannabe MPs and their army of employees who are all “delighted” that John Swinney is their latest leader.
I NOTICED with great interest that Labour politicians in Scotland are telling us that voters no longer believe in things they believed in only a short time ago.
I WATCHED the debate in Holyrood last Thursday regarding SSEN’s proposed infrastructure nightmare and felt real anger as I viewed row after row of empty chairs. Chairs that once supported very well-paid MSPs, the majority of whom couldn’t leave the chamber fast enough after FMQs rather than listen to a debate that was of huge importance to Scotland’s citizens.
I FEAR for John Swinney. Leading your party and being First Minister doesn’t work. Humza, Nicola, Alex, Jack, Henry couldn’t do it and it killed Donald. It is also a British custom which hasn’t worked since Clem Attlee in 1945; it only worked for him as he had a host of battle-hardened lieutenants from the war coalition to help him and he still didn’t manage to abolish the House of Lords. Do we really want to follow the system that resulted in Liz Truss?
WITH the recent local elections in England and Wales, we’re witnessing the blurred battle lines being smudged even more between Tory and Labour as they square up for the coming General Election. Tory battle lines are turgid and mired in 14 years of failures, ranging from posturing leaders to corruption and scandals and then all the way round to the actual inability to govern effectively.
MANY people gave their second vote to the Greens after the SNP in Scottish elections (despite the SNP’s constant message of “both votes SNP”, which I really think not many people paid attention to) as they had good will towards the Greens.
IN her piece in this paper on May 3 (I wanted a contest but I’ll back John Swinney – here’s why), Joanna Cherry slips into untypical folly when she writes that “10 years on
HOW curious to read Douglas Ross’s latest anti-Scotindy intervention in his formal letter to John Swinney decrying the SNP’s continuing quest for Scottish self-determination under Swinney’s tenure.
SO Andrew Neil’s self-esteem is dented because a “Nat folk singer” didn’t know who he was! Well, this Nat folk singer does know who he is, has met him and would not willingly repeat the experience. I have met loads of journalists and politicians – I even managed an amicable conversation with Margaret Thatcher – but he is the only one who really made my flesh crawl.
WHY is this indy supporter so excited about the English local election miasma? Maybe because I’m astounded at the clear political gift handed to the SNP.
