If Sturgeon was divisive, what makes you think he would be the answer to that?
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There’s also the structure. In 2015, one of my closest pals who’s been an SNP member even before we first became friends in 1973 in agreeing that Quadrophenia was a landmark in rock n roll history, called me at work. He’d been approached, as a successful businessman and a good performer in the media and at Yes meetings, to become the PPC for the expected General Election.
“I don’t live in the constituency you might contest,” I said, “But I’d vote for you if I did, because you’re diligent, hard-working, and would represent the area well. However - what about your family (who I regard as almost family of my own) and your business?”
He assured me that all would be well, and I then expressed caution about the party machine, that there would already be people with far less experience of life and work (and talent) who would see this as their shottie at it since they’d “experience” as councillors, party insiders (MSP/MP caseworkers, office managers and other non-jobs).
A week later he phoned to say that he’d withdrawn, having seen that his candidature was unlikely to be successful due to “middle management” in the party machine, and the selection process just a box-ticking exercise to satisfy the selection procedure, where the preferred shoe-in party nodding dog was always getting the gig.
We had coffee together last week. He’s glad he didn’t go for it as he rates the current Westminster cabal as idle, and he has retired without any pressure on him. He has also texted Ms Forbes to back her if she goes for it.
Man to pig, pig to man, and that.
He got it right in 2007 when he said that the key to independence was demonstrating that they could make devolution work with the then devolved powers. Post-2014, major areas of policy and responsibility have suffered catastrophically largely due to the fecklessness of average intelligence and limited ability ministers, few of whom have been sanctioned for failure. The bleating about limited powers and underfunding by (dog whistle) “Westminster” are convenient excuses for lack of talent, uselessness, and laziness, rather than pîshing with the urethtra one has, and making the best of it to engender confidence in the party’s abilities. Most of the hopeless cûnts would get their cards if working outside the bubble. Salmond was right 16 years ago, but is among the sleaziest, creepiest, self-serving twâttybollixes around.
As Chris Colqhoun said of Meiklebogs in Cloud Howe, “He makes me want to change my vest”.
Don't hold back there cowboy ! He most certainly is a "marmite" politician always has been. But if folk are honest they'd have to concede Salmond was a most accomplished politician and he scared the holy sh1t out of WM. But the stich-up had the desired effect and finished him off in serious politics his sunset song if you like. Think my point was someone of his ilk and without the baggage is needed now.
Oh Jings !! ask the difficult question why don't you. I have absolutely no iidea. Does this person exist ? Nicola may have gone but her cabal remain so the last thing the Independence movement want is a continuity candidate like Angus H Robertson, Yousef arrogant beyond words, Keith Brown another continuity nobody.. Kate Forbes without the "Hell and Damnation " brigade might be OK certainly got the eye candy factor.. Colin Sim has effectively ruled himself out ... Fits Jo Grimond dein these days ? is there a Jo Junior ?
Tell me a political party in the UK that isn't full on nodding dogs who lap up what they are told?
It's the same sorry state across all parties.
I'd go as far as saying that the elected goons don't hold much power anyway. It's the unelected ones in the background pulling the strings that worry me.