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Challenger aims for popular appeal



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Published Date: 07 August 2008
By hamish macdonell
TAVISH Scott insisted yesterday he would consign constitutional wrangles to the background and focus on ways to help those hit by the credit crunch, if he succeeds in becoming leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.
Mr Scott has the support of a majority of his parliamentary colleagues in Westminster and Holyrood.

But he knows that he has to appeal to all the party members in this month's election, not just the elected ones.

The leadership challenger said he wanted to lead a political party, not a "debating society".

Mr Scott added: "I want to make sure our party focuses on the cost-of-living rises, the real concerns that there are around fuel prices, food prices and job security.

"If we can do that as a party, if we can focus and have ideas and solutions around those kind of issues I believe people will see a positive reason to vote for the Liberal Democrats."





The full article contains 160 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 06 August 2008 6:49 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Liberal Democrats
 
1

Ken_Fitlike,

07/08/2008 00:17:09

yawn
2

Brits 'n' pieces,

07/08/2008 00:17:10
Help those "hit by the credit crunch"?

People are "hit by the credit crunch" are the people who caused it. More failure rewarded. More Labour/SNP policies formed of the basis of tax the decent/responsible to give to the lazy slobs/chancers.

If you borrowed 6 times your salary and 125% of the value of a home that has a price 200% of the "bricks and mortar" value it is insured for. Why should you be helped by those who cut their cloth to their means?

I wish the SNP/Labour would stop pandering to the scum in our society and concentrate on helping the decent.
3

Col. Blimp­IV*,

07/08/2008 00:30:46
#3 David Banks,was Tripod

Re the "Experts Question..." thread.

Never has a "Story" been as worthy of your attention than that bilge was.
4

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 00:33:23
3
And you keep destroying debate on these threads.

Just what are you trying to prove?
5

Col. Blimp­IV*,

07/08/2008 00:34:01
PS

In future could you consider cutting off at about #950?
6

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 00:34:37
4
Col

"I" would have liked to comment on it though.
7

AM2,

Scotland,UK 07/08/2008 00:36:30
#3

Why did you destroy the oil fund thread?

We're all here because we enjoy debate. Just stop it, please.
8

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 00:42:29
8
Anyway your comment was a bit weak, Norway's oil fund is too big, we canny match it.

Of course we can't, we will have started too late; but better late than never.
9

AM2,

Scotland,UK 07/08/2008 00:42:46
#3

Delete your user account, please. Reopen the oil fund thread for comment.

Your posts suggest that it's me you're targeting. So why prevent others from replying to my opening post?
10

AM2,

Scotland,UK 07/08/2008 00:43:35
#9 Conan

I don't think even the SNP has ever claimed that!
11

AM2,

Scotland,UK 07/08/2008 00:44:14
Anyway, this is a thread about Tavish Scott.

Yawn. Bedtime, methinks.
12

Brits 'n' pieces,

07/08/2008 00:45:05
8 AM2

I think it's denial. It's much like when a bill arrives, if you don't open it for a few days then it's almost like it doesn't exist.

Banks is obviously realising that the SNP are no different from Labour in many respects. That they can't deliver what they promised or what Scotland needs, so he keeps the envelope closed.

But sooner or later, he'll have to accept it.
13

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 00:46:39
12
You don't find Tavish Scott interesting then? ;-)
14

Col. Blimp­IV*,

07/08/2008 00:51:49
#5 Conan

We don't have enough Oil left to comment on that thread and we are too far away from our markets.

Such things are better done within the framework of the United Kidom, which provides security and much more influence in the corridors of power in an increasingly globalised economy.

Furthermore, a permanent seat on the UN security council is a pre-requisite for making a comment that is safe from Mohammedan Cyber-Terrorists.
15

Col. Blimp­IV*,

07/08/2008 00:54:17
#14 Conan the Librarian™,

Who is Tavish Scott?
16

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 00:57:34
15
Evening Col

I suppose you are right.It's hardly worth taking out of the North Sea, 'cause it'll be totally worthless this time next year.

But we should push for a stool just outside the UN and a stethoscope to put to the door.
17

,

07/08/2008 00:59:22
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
18

Col. Blimp­IV*,

07/08/2008 01:02:19
#17 Conan

Are you sure we can afford a Stethoscope?

19

Col. Blimp­IV*,

07/08/2008 01:04:54
#18 Conan

Nope!

That is a guy from Kilsyth, called Wullie Cooke.
20

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 01:06:29
19
Alright then, a toilet roll tube should do the trick.
(We can nick it from the UN's lavvy)
21

Col. Blimp­IV*,

07/08/2008 01:07:22
Oops!

He owns a shotgun...and he knows where I live.
22

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 01:09:51
20
You meet with the strangest people Col.Do ye ken Gordon Broon?
23

Col. Blimp­IV*,

07/08/2008 01:12:52
21 Conan

Perfect...we could relay the news back to Bute House with two empty soup cans and a peice of string...that should keep #2 happy, we must cut our cloth to suit our means.
24

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 01:15:25
22
Strange you should say that Col...Hoos poos.
25

Col. Blimp­IV*,

07/08/2008 01:15:35
23

I was never up Calton Hill after dark in the 70's.
26

Conan the Librarian™,

07/08/2008 01:19:29
26
LOL Aye, the one eyed monster might get ye!
27

FrancesP,

07/08/2008 02:14:42
"[Tavish Scott] said he wanted to lead a political party, not a 'debating society'."

That's not very subtle code for 'under my leadership, I will determine policy, not the party conference'. Contrast Scott's uber-presidential approach with the following refreshing declaration from Mike Rumbles - "our party members at Conference are supposed to make Party policy - the leadership should lead the way in its implementation as best it can. Our party conferences have turned into rallies and we have unanimous votes on motherhood and apple pie. I want to engage with our members and ensure that it really means something to be a member of our party. Major and controversial decisions should once again be made by our members at conference."

I have no idea where the balance of opinion lies in the party rank-and-file between Scott's presidential (dare I say mildly authoritarian) style and Rumbles' far more democratic, collegiate approach. But I certainly know which I prefer, and which would be more likely to earn the respect of the Scottish people.

Scott's words seem to imply "but this is what serious political parties have to do these days" - unfortunately that's the soulless Blairite/New Labour philosophy in a nutshell. The bigger problem for Tavish is that, at the last Holyrood election, he was both campaign manager and seemingly the key strategist in deciding whether to enter into coalition discussions with other parties. And the consequences of a party guided by Tavish's particular world view are plain for all to see - no longer in government, in fourth place, and a net loss of one seat. Hardly the most promising trial run for a potential new leader.
28

Scotindy,

Los Angeles 07/08/2008 03:25:13
Does this guy Scott not realise that it is the Constition that is at the heart of all DISCONTENT in SCOTLAND. Untill they get it right ie, INDEPENDENCE then it will never go away. Lib Dems typical attitude if we bury our heads in the sand, THEN IT WILL GO AWAY. Not so, the SCOTS are aspiring to become a NORMAL INDEPENDENT STATE, and not SUBSERVIENT TO ANYONE,JUST EQUAL. Is that too much to ask for?? Lib Dems, just the same old wishy washy, coupled with no real direction and lack of leadership they are doomed in Scotland. Have a nice day!!!!!!
29

,

07/08/2008 03:37:51
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
30

Nevsky,

Moscow 07/08/2008 05:35:24
If it was not for the fact that some Scottish constiuencies still vote rather quaintly for the 'candidate' then the Lib Dems would not exist in Scotland.

Quite amazed to read this morning that AM2 agrees that Scotland could be a success if independent which begs the question why do you support the union?

I agree that there would be some initial 'pain' as you put it but if Scotland can devolve what it already has then i don't see the negotiations of removing power from Westminster as any great obstacle, just an extension of the process, an administrative process.

Just why then are you against independence? If you suggest that Scotland could be successful while it is failing in the union (and the union is not the right political solution for Scotland) just what is the reason to remain part of that Union?

If unionists are thinking life you it is a monumental shift in their philosophy and to be welcomed. Be a Tory in an independent Scotland by all means!
31

donald,

glasgow 07/08/2008 07:52:40
Hamish aims for Unionist appeal
32

MacGillicuddy,

07/08/2008 07:55:17
Tavish in Holyrood. Nick in Westmonster.
What a losing combination!
33

Daveunderwater,

07/08/2008 08:55:40
Does Tavish Scott realise Scotland would have to be independent to realise his aim?

34

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 07/08/2008 09:37:19
"If we can do that as a party, if we can focus and have ideas and solutions around those kind of issues I believe people will see a positive reason to vote for the Liberal Democrats."

It's just that the Liberal Dumplings have never quite got round to explaining in a cogent and coherent way how they will go about doing so. Which is why they correctly remain where they are as an unexciting irrelevance. What does he propose - that people who got themselves into a shedload of debt should be bailed out by the rest of us? More socialism? Has he not heard this is a failed strategy?

Another unfortunate impression is that Mr Scott does appear to deal with issues as if it were a debating society and seems fairly removed from the reality of them. He won't be alone there of course as in this respect he's just copying his New Lab mentors.
35

Darien,

Panama 07/08/2008 09:37:29
I thought we were all past the discredited BtitNat-Unionist arguments that oil is not worth bothering about, we need to be looked after by Westminster, we cannae govern oorselves etc etc. No sensible Scot believes that kind of piffle any more. That's why the SNP are in power, and on a roll, and people can see there is light at the end of the tunnel for a change in Scotland.

As for Tavish and his Party in a Phonebox, well, what is there to say but best of luck to their rapidly diminishing band, they'll need it. They need to differentiate much more from the other major BritNat fundamentalist parties (Tory and Labour for those who don't know)and just talking abour federalism aint no good as nobody is interested in that. At the moment the only party that believes totally in the ability of Scots to run things by themselves is the SNP. All the rest believe we need looked after by Westminster and 'we cannae dae it oorselves', but Scots have cottoned on that all Westminster ever does is stick it up Scotland. That is the big differentiator and not even a biased media has been able to alter it.
36

Alan B,

07/08/2008 09:41:40
You get the feeling that if the lib dems choose Scott they will be voting themselves into oblivion.

The lib dems are at their best when they are radical. They are at there best when they have solutions to the big issues of the day. So scott wants to ingore the issues round the constitution. He wants to turn his back on the only party that supposedly stands for more powers for the scottish parliament.

The article spells out nothing that Scott actually wants to do in policy terms. The general areas he talks about are all reserved westminster matters. Which brings u back to the constitution. If he wants to address the issues that he says then the sp needs the power over these issues.

If you want to effect cost of living increases you need control of monetary policy to control inflation. Given that the lib dems want the euro his call here seems confused.

If he wants to control energy prices like petrol this is mainly tax and hence he seems to be agreeing with Salmond. It would make sense for the government windfall tax revenues from higher oil prices is passed onto the consumer through lowers petrol taxes (tax makes up much of the price).

But we have no power in the scottish parliament to make these changes. As you would need control of tax. Some of the windfall profits made by the energy companies could be taxed as a windfall tax. But again no power. not necessarily advocating that power but it is one approach. The other more long term approach would be through competition policy if these companies are making uncompetitive profit and are profiteering. Again no power.

So anyone that thinks about what he is saying will soon come to the conclusion it simply does not make sense.

It is also interesting that one of the biggest real issues in scotland is our low economic growth rate compared to both the rest of the uk and the other small western european countries over the last decade. If clinton said "its the economy stupid", scott seems to want to ignor
37

Alan B,

07/08/2008 09:42:12
cont..

ingnore economic performance and the benefits it brings.
38

Alan B,

07/08/2008 10:26:12
Another point about Scott's issues. They seem very short term, what is the longer term direction. If he get elected, his first chance of power is after the next election in 2011. So the issues he mention will no longer the priority. He needs some sort of policies and vision. Unfortunately he does not seem to have them.
39

Rev. S. Campbell,

Bath 07/08/2008 10:41:57
There is no question whatsoever about the fact that if Scott becomes Lib Dem leader the party will disappear entirely down the toilet. I can easily see them reduced to single figures in both vote share and seats at the next Holyrood election if this smirking, witless idiot is allowed to continue the suicidal path of negativity the party is currently on.
40

Nikostratos,

07/08/2008 11:32:56
#4

The Trolls Among Us


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/magazine/03trolls-t.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&oref=slogin
41

Brian S,

Edinburgh 07/08/2008 12:14:21
There were 3 reasons why I stopped voting Lib Dem after supporting them for 12years.

1: Menzies Campbell
2: Nicol Stephen
3: Tavish Scott

Looks like they won't be getting my vote for some time to come.
42

Rev. S. Campbell,

Bath 07/08/2008 14:42:05
#42 Since I left Scotland before I had the chance to vote in an election, the Lib Dems are the only party I've ever voted for. It gets more and more embarrassing, and harder and harder to imagine doing so again, the longer they go on.
43

,

07/08/2008 15:32:37
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44

,

07/08/2008 16:42:08
Comment Removed By Administrator
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45

Nikostratos,

07/08/2008 19:30:57
#45 Mirror Man


“Lulz”
46

,

07/08/2008 20:29:00
Comment Removed By Administrator
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47

,

07/08/2008 20:41:02
Comment Removed By Administrator
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48

Paula,

07/08/2008 23:37:21
Is he going to grow the beard again though, we need to know.

Nice to see AM2 got his computer back, it'll be sharp items and shoelaces next, mark my words.
49

Paula,

07/08/2008 23:44:54
Lib Dems, only their mothers would vote for them now.

 

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