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Amber · Helping with the Count Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 316

Are solidarity fielding a candidate in marshall's seat, Rinty?

Rinty · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:21 pm Post subject:

Election decisions are devolved to regions Amber, I am not a Glasgow Solidarity member, but I would think that we would be standing a candidate in this seat as we have an active branch there, are strong in Glasgow and polled reasonably well there in 2007.

Why did you only ask about Solidarity Amber?

I mean in the relevant wards at the local elections last year we had more votes than the Lib Dems, more than the combined vote of the Greens and SSP.

In summary, I'm not really the person to ask, but would be very surprised if we didn't.

Amber · Helping with the Count Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 316

I only asked about solidarity because you're the solidarity guy.
I think it's pretty ridiculous that the press officer doesn't know for sure what the party's doing, though.

Rinty · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

"I only asked about solidarity because you're the solidarity guy."

You didn't ask the other Solidarity members here, or ask other members whether their parties were standing.

"I think it's pretty ridiculous that the press officer doesn't know for sure what the party's doing, though."

That's stupid in two ways, first, there is a democratic process to decide eletion strategy and choose a candidate if we have one. Why would a press officer know the answer to all of that process on the day that an MP's retirement was announced, before even a byelection is officially called? The other is that I am not 'the' press officer. I am one of a number of volunteers who help in a press team made up of press officers, journalists and others.

It goes like this Amber, Glasgow Solidarity decide whether to stand a candidate, then the press team will be involved especially after a candidate is selected.

The best that I can do is give you my opinion that we will be very likely to stand a candidate. I discussed this with some Glasgow members this morning on the phone and two of the other press officers and I think that we will, but it will depend on a democratic decision within the Glasgow Region.

Perhaps if you asked the Glasgow Solidarity's press officer then you would get a better answer. But I dont they are a member of our-scotland.

Red Justice · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject:

Rinty · Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:03 am Post subject:

She is obsessed Red, yesterday, when she asked me, she would have got an even shorter reply from all parties. Labour dont even know who the candidate is for definite and they had advance notice of this. If she had asked an SNP press officer she would have been told no comment and that press officer wouldnt know who the SNP candidate will be. But when it comes to solidarity everything, to amber, is an indication of something else.

She says it is 'riciculous' that I don't know whether we have a candidate or who it is. In fact it would have been ridiculous for me to have known.

What I tried to do was give as full an opinion as I could, I fully explained the process and why I couldnt say as yet, until we know for certain, but she ignores that.

chicmac · Helping with the Count Joined: 18 Mar 2008 Posts: 387

William_Cleland · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:09 am Post subject:

Maybe worth bearing in mind that the SSP and Solidarity are socialist parties first and foremost, chic, and any commitment on their part to independence is tactical rather than about ideology.

Rinty · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:39 am Post subject:

Chic, maybe the SNP should not stand given that Solidarity are already standing, their support for our candidate would be welcome???

Seriously, this idea that we somehow should not stand in elections based on an outside chance of the SNP winning is ridiculous.

We would be as well joining the SNP if that was the case.

Holebender · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:00 am Post subject:

Reluctant Hero · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 3:40 pm Post subject:

Was suggested in the Herald today that Tommy Sheridan could stand for Solidarity.

If that was the case, Rinty's suggestion that the SNP should step aside might not be too far from the truth.
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Amber · Helping with the Count Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 316

I sincerely hope Sheridan stands.

Rinty · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

That's a starnge opinion for an SNP supporter amber. Do you think that Tommy standing would help the SNP?

Amber · Helping with the Count Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 316

I think Tommy standing would force him to answer a lot of questions.
It would also destroy any attempt he might make to argue against a trial on the basis that he's no longer a public figure.
I don't think for a minute he'd harm the SNP vote.

Rinty · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:27 am Post subject:

"I think Tommy standing would force him to answer a lot of questions."

What questions would be answered during a byelection that cant be answered elsewhere? Of course questions relating to the potential court cases will not be asked as they are subject to sub judice rules.

"It would also destroy any attempt he might make to argue against a trial on the basis that he's no longer a public figure."

That's interesting, although I have never heard anyone mention that as a reason against the trial. Personally I dont think the idea that he is or isnt a public figure has anything to do with whether a case should go ahead. It was argued by some that this was perhaps a reason for the crown office taking the case but it is not my position or tommy's that it would be reason for NOT taking the case. As the Crown Office refuse to say why this case was taken up it is difficult to use those sort of arguments for or against it.

"I don't think for a minute he'd harm the SNP vote."

Then you are ignoring all electoral evidence. There is a constituency of voters who float between SNP and the smaller parties (SGP,SSP,Solidarity). That is obvious. But, he would also harm the Labour vote to an extent.

The reality is that you don't care whether it harms the SNP vote as your only interest, as demonstrated in this forum, is Tommy Sheridan and potential court cases.

However, this is very much a moot point as we havent selected a candidate yet, or even decided whether to stand. I am 90% sure that we will stand a candidate but don't know who my Glasgow comrades will ask to represent them.

frank rizzo · Activist Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 149

If Sheridan stands, Brit Labour will get in. That is obvious.
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Rinty · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:50 am Post subject:

That may be right Frank, but it is not something that is for Solidarity to deal with. We are a political party and will take decisions based on what is considered the best tactics for us.

The chances are that Labour will win anyway, they do have a massive majority and the SNP don't usually do well in that constituency.

But, Tommy might not be the Solidarity candidate.

Amber · Helping with the Count Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 316

Rinty · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:57 am Post subject:

Neither Rosemary nor Graeme are members of Glasgow Solidarity Amber. This decision will not be based on who is 'untainted by controversy' it will be based on what is considered the best tactics for the party in the Glasgow Region, and in the local branch in the constituency.

I find it interesting that you refer to them by their first names though Smile

As you are an SNP supporter, it would be good to hear your views on the byelection rather than your continued vitriol.

Amber · Helping with the Count Joined: 28 Feb 2008 Posts: 316

Why do you find it interesting that I refer to them by their first names?
By the way, their own cases aren't sub judice yet, are they?
We can talk about them being charged with perjury?
Remind me, are those two - who've been charged with perjury - the national secretary and co-convener? That's NATIONAL?