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Lesley Riddoch - Labour disarray shows need for radical change



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SAY what you mean and mean what you say. The fact Labour can do neither over a Scottish independence referendum speaks volumes.
The insistence from Edinburgh and London that "nothing's wrong" is about as convincing as the Burmese insistence they can manage the aftermath of cyclone Nargis – though, mercifully, a great deal less important. Political denial, though, can only las...



The full article contains 988 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 11 May 2008 8:44 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Lesley Riddoch
 
1

Richardinho,

12/05/2008 00:28:04
If (for the sake of argument) Alex Salmond had a brain storm and decided in the middle of a television interview to have a radical reversal of policy there would not be the same problem. The rest of the party would grumble behind closed doors no doubt, but in public they would get behind their leader and make as if this had always been their policy.

This is because the SNP is not answerable to any outside bodies as the Scottish Labour party.
That is why it is a travesty of the truth to describe Wendy Alexander as a 'leader', when in reality she is nothing more than a Labour party middle manager.

This is what Labour in Scotland have to change if they want to be taken seriously; because I'm willing to bet that a big attraction of the SNP is the fact that they are not beholden to Westminster and so can stand up for Scottish interests without asking for anyone's permission. The Scottish Labour party requires independence from the Westminster party-with or without a referendum!
2

Andrew BOD,

Aberdeenshire 12/05/2008 00:35:48
Quite a good synopsis of the current state of the Labour party in Scotland.

The conclusion:
"The only way Scottish Labour can turn last week to advantage is to treat this nightmare as a wake-up call and consider whether it's time to establish an independent Labour Party in Scotland."

Probably right, even essential as independence may come sooner rather than later and Scotland will need an 'Independent' Labour Party.
3

Glaswegian,

Glasgow 12/05/2008 01:02:59

A large proportion of Labour supporters say they support independence (I've seen figures around the 40% mark), and presumably a significant number of Labour MSPs and MPs are (privately at least) comfortable with the idea. Any chance then of a breakaway Scottish Labour Party which supports independence?
4

overshot,

perth 12/05/2008 07:14:21
Andrew
A new independent labour party in Scotland is a good idea. They would need new personel, surly this mob would get nowhere. Is the SNP not the new independent labour party for Scotland.
5

Wardog,

Buckie 12/05/2008 07:37:25
4 overshot, perth 12/05/2008 07:14:21

"...The only party, north or south, which appears to be interested in promoting recognisably Labour policies on health, council housing, education, Trident etc, is the Scottish National Party.."

Ian Macwhirter
The Herald, May 12th 2008

The Scottish labour Party will never declare itself independent of London, at least not until Scotland is independent of Scotland, to do so beforehand would be to support an independent scotland fully.




6

Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 12/05/2008 08:43:15
As usual Ms. Riddoch hits the nail on the head!

It is ironic that before last May's elections the
Scots Unionists collectively ridiculed the "amateur" Nationalists.

It now appears that the only truly "professional" Scottish politicians come from the very slick Nationalist Party!
7

connaughtboy,

stonehaven 12/05/2008 09:20:22
Is Lesley Riddoch a unionist? Anyone know her politics?
8

Stu,

Edinburgh 12/05/2008 11:05:13
Great article and really sums up the Labour party.

The SNP also have another advantage in that they concentrate there best in Scotland meaning that they can run rings around the numpties that arent good enough to go to the big boys school
9

Calum10,

12/05/2008 12:34:56
But what sort of beast would an Independent Scottish Labour Party be?

What would be the marked differences, if any, from the British (English) Labour Party?

Would it be unionist, devolutionist or nationalist?

PS Lesley Riddoch is a BBC journalist who was forced to concede that BBC Scotland takes a more aggressive and critical stance with the SNP that with the Unionist parties.
10

Steve,

Bo'ness 12/05/2008 13:37:02
Lesley Riddoch was a Labour spin doctor.
11

Willie Macleod,

Wick 12/05/2008 15:39:50
#10 Steve. Lesley Riddoch has never been a Labour spin doctor.

Lorraine Davidson writer and jounalist was employed by Labour as a spin doctor.

Maybe you have them mixed up.
12

The west awake,

Argyll 12/05/2008 18:43:13
Riddoch forgets the obvious siphoning of what talent Labour in Scotland could produce down to the "real" Parliament in Westminster.
The result has been that the only Labour ones left in Scotland were the ones who couldn't hack it down south or who were content with the glorified "parish cooncil" at Holyrood.
Is it any wonder that the SNP, whose talent seen Holyrood as the prize, are shredding these bumpkins with impunity?
As long as this continues, and it will as long as Labour sees Holyrood as some kind of poor mans Westminster, the SNP will always have a built-in advantage.
13

Douglas,

Bathgate 12/05/2008 23:09:34
Calum10, I'm pretty sure Lesley Riddoch is a freelance journalist who has worked at the BBC in the past.

I know for sure that lunchtime discussion on BBC Radio Scotland is all the poorer for her absence.
14

Willie Macleod,

Wick 12/05/2008 23:33:48
#13 Calum, Riddoch Questions is on Radio Scotland every Friday at 1:15pm
15

Alan B,

12/05/2008 23:40:46
Several posters have said that labours best talent goes to westminster. While i appreciate that brown is at westminster as are the old guard. The problem for labour is actually they have little talent in both parliaments.

is wendies brother labours new generation and the most high profile at westminster better than those at holyrood. i do not think so. Martin the speaker is dreadful. Robertson was awful.

Yes smith and cook were top notch and reid. but the rest were always poor.


 

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