Our Scotland - www.our-scotland.org

SLG · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 2:58 pm Post subject: McConnell to quit soon

Not seen anyone else reporting this, but according to Talk 107, McConnell will be standing down as Labour leader next month.

The Lithgae Jambo · Helping with the Count Joined: 05 Jul 2006 Posts: 362

See the Sunday Mail
_________________
Visit Scotsgait then follow us on Twitter !!

Avatar · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:48 pm Post subject:

Hopefully he'll be replaced by someone who foams at the mouth when they speak, either Andy Kerr or Wendy Alexander will do.
_________________
"Quite simply, Labour have been caught red-handed so often that no-one believes a word they say any more."

Economist · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 7:03 pm Post subject:

Lord George Foulkes - now that would be good. I would fear for Andy "shocked and upset" Kerr (shocked and upset by the fact Alex Salmond said the "I" word in speech when the Queen was present.)

I fear the SNP Government would shock and upset him too much to competently carry out his job.

Rolling Eyes

There is just such a dearth of talent on the Labour benches, it is hard to imagine any of them doing any good. And to be quite honest, that is pretty shocking for Scottish democracy, given they are the 2nd largest party in the country.
_________________
Taurus excreta cerebrum vincit - Bullshit baffles brains

SLG · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:22 pm Post subject:

If the SNP can keep going the way they have been, then the Labour vote should drop - reflecting that lack of talent.

I still think that Alexander could cause problems for the SNP though. She is definitely more quick witted than most on the Labour benches. If she wisens up a wee bit, she could provide a challenge to Salmond. Much more than any of the rest of them IMO. Equally, if she falls back on the rabid Unionist rhetoric that she was coming out before the election, from that platform, she could make her party unelectable.

Her close relationship with Brown could end up giving Labour a big boost if Brown manages to win a UK election. Again, that could backfire as well if Brown fails. At the moment though, I think it would give her a boost in terms of public opinion.

Rinty · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:35 pm Post subject:

I think alexander is a clown, she is painted as being the intellectual or business friendly labour member but her behaviour during the election campaign showed her up as a whining spin-merchant.

I hope it's her as she will annoy even more of the public than Jack did.

If I were Labour I would go for someone like Jamieson who has a rapport with working class voters. They have to look at rebuilding and rebranding Labour in Scotland as they are sinking fast.

Jimbo · Our Scotland = 2nd Job! Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 1086

Should McConnell eventually stand down, whoever replaces him won't be the de facto leader, they'll still be led from London. Maybe we'll see Dr. Doom (John Reid) stand in a by-election in Jack's stead.

For Scotland to become independent it is not the Tory or Liberal voters who have to be converted it is mainly the labour voters. Who better to do this than Wendy the Caterpillar Woman? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGdybkDZNH8

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 11:42 am Post subject:

The Scotsman is claiming that Alexander's campaign team is already in action.

And McConnell to receive a peerage Confused

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1145752007
_________________
Visit the Our Scotland Blog at http://our-scotland.blogspot.com/

Aventinian · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 5:34 am Post subject:

Ethan.K.McCarthy · Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2007 10:26 am Post subject:

McConnell was ineffective as FM. his inability was evident and this shows up more so in opposition. Nicola was able to run rings round him with ease, and now Alex isn't even trying to ridicule him (he does that himself)!
_________________
"Name not the land where the olive tree grows,
Nor the land of the Shamrock, nor land of the Rose;
But show me the Thistle that waves its proud head,
Over heroes whose blood for their country was shed!"
Andrew Park.

Jimbo · Our Scotland = 2nd Job! Joined: 18 Feb 2007 Posts: 1086

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:31 pm Post subject:

Brian Taylor has had his say on McConnell as well in his blog

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/therep...briantaylor/2007/08/02/index.html
_________________
Visit the Our Scotland Blog at http://our-scotland.blogspot.com/

George · This is Ma' Life! Joined: 02 May 2006 Posts: 767

I posted a comment onto Taylor's blog, but after a day it is yet to appear.

The comment suggested that his article tried too hard to be generous to McConnell. I aslo suggested that (as a lot of observers are saying) Scottish Labour needs to free itself from the shackles of London Labour, i.e. from Westminster, if it is to evolve. I observed that this is an ironic metaphor given that their nemesis, the SNP, have been advocating just that for the entire nation in order for Scotland to develop.

SLG · Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:08 am Post subject:

Can't mind where, but there was an article the other day suggesting that Kerr et al were ready to stand aside and hand the leadership to Alexander. Be pretty disappointing if that's the case.

kevin04 · Standing in a Council Ward Joined: 06 Mar 2007 Posts: 459

There is no stand out candidate for Labour.

Andy Kerr, Wendy Alexander & Curran are all pretty basic/poor leaders and I can't imagine them enlighting up the public or turning voters to Labour but prove me wrong though.

Labour in Scotland need a Alex Salmond, Tommy Sheridan, Rhodri Morgan type statesmen e.g someone with a bit of balls and will stand up for the beliefs in stead of letting British Labour run all over them, I don't know if they have such a MSP in their ranks

Holebender · Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:17 pm Post subject:

Such people don't get selected as candidates by the numptocracy.
_________________
"My instinct is to agree with your opinion of his verse, but I've never so much as glanced at it." - agentmancuso

SLG · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject:

I think they've gone too far down the unionist route to ever select anyone like that. Labour are a lost cause.

Anthropos · Helping with the Count Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 323

RadgeJougal · Our Scotland = 2nd Job! Joined: 15 May 2006 Posts: 978

Bring out your dead. Bring out your dead.

VLK · Activist Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 112 Location: Abroad

It is only logical that McConnell is standing down as a leader; He led the party to an election-defeat. Not really his fault but there must always be a scapegoat.

The next election is still some time away and the Scottish Labour must start the process of reinventing itself.