Clueless
As if it wasn't bad enough with Wendy Alexander flip-flopping about on the referendum/neverendum/neverhaveone issue, it now turns out that she may not have read the Parliamentary rules correctly.
For the record, I think it was astute of her to try to bring the independence/devolution matter forward in an attempt to try to control the debate.
However, set against the repeated and continuing refusal to discuss independence, or even to see it is a viable possible alternative, she was bound to get a lot of flak. Indeed, having apparently not discussed the matter with her colleagues or with Number 10, she appeared to be doing the political equivalent of strapping the 12-bore to her temple whilst writing a suicide note.
She duly took collateral damage from her own colleagues, before wondering dazed into the line of fire from the Government.
Now the BBC report that her proposal for an early referendum may not be constitutionally possible without the support of a member of another political party and even then may not be allowed if the Government intend to legislate on the matter during the current term.
The former rule is eminently sensible to try to avoid political grandstanding, and you would have thought that one of the political allies (definition: someone we use to get into power; and ignore as irrelevant at other times) would have been lined up to jump that hurdle.
Not so, our Wendy. Walking blindly into an elephant trap that her own party designed, approved and legislated on, it appears that they never read the rules, and have little idea of how it all works.
The second obstacle is less clear, but would seem to prevent any opposition party launching A Good Idea as a piece of legislation by allowing the Government to promise to intend to think about - maybe - bringing forward the self-same legislation themselves.
Irrespective, yet another good plan scuppered by the most basic failings to understand the rules around the game.
Are there any depths of incompetence to which Labour cannot plummet?
For the record, I think it was astute of her to try to bring the independence/devolution matter forward in an attempt to try to control the debate.
However, set against the repeated and continuing refusal to discuss independence, or even to see it is a viable possible alternative, she was bound to get a lot of flak. Indeed, having apparently not discussed the matter with her colleagues or with Number 10, she appeared to be doing the political equivalent of strapping the 12-bore to her temple whilst writing a suicide note.
She duly took collateral damage from her own colleagues, before wondering dazed into the line of fire from the Government.
Now the BBC report that her proposal for an early referendum may not be constitutionally possible without the support of a member of another political party and even then may not be allowed if the Government intend to legislate on the matter during the current term.
The former rule is eminently sensible to try to avoid political grandstanding, and you would have thought that one of the political allies (definition: someone we use to get into power; and ignore as irrelevant at other times) would have been lined up to jump that hurdle.
Not so, our Wendy. Walking blindly into an elephant trap that her own party designed, approved and legislated on, it appears that they never read the rules, and have little idea of how it all works.
The second obstacle is less clear, but would seem to prevent any opposition party launching A Good Idea as a piece of legislation by allowing the Government to promise to intend to think about - maybe - bringing forward the self-same legislation themselves.
Irrespective, yet another good plan scuppered by the most basic failings to understand the rules around the game.
Are there any depths of incompetence to which Labour cannot plummet?
8 comments:
The thought of Wendy Alexander controlling any debate against Sturgeon/Salmond is, frankly, laughable. She is a condescending swot, devoid of the charm or gravitas required of a national leader. She is a tub thumper for GB and his vision of the Labour party. Whatever that may be this week. One PM famously said U turn if you want to, this PM and his Scottish protégé seem to be saying, I’ll U turn if you ask me.
Wasn't Wendy once set up as a possible 'girlfriend' of Calum Macdonald our former MP?
Angus - all of your blogs are really quiet. You must be doing soemthing wrong or you're being deserted.....
Apparently Roddy Murray - ex-Labour Councillor, and ex-Vice Convener - described Wendy as having "lost her marbles" on the Coinneach Mor radio programme this morning.
Ferrets in a sack.....
no wonder she was nick-named bendy-wendy!
She's not only lost her marbles but also her yo-yo; her pogo stick; and all the wee Barbie dolls she used to role play her way to the top of Scottish politics. It's actually quite horrible to watch. I almost feel sorry for her. After this she may be able to get a job at her local chippy. Dish of the day, humble pie and fishy suppers.
It's probably the good weather that's getting folk outside instead of being chained to the PC.
Bendy Wendy's taken a step too far this time, methinks....!
in answer to that last question, no. L.S
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