Glasgow East by-election
This is almost beyond parody. Almost, but not quite.
The Labour Party had managed to line up a solid candidate but failed to make sure he actually wanted the job, and as a consequence he went awol on the night of the selection. Where were his minders? Who was taking him to the selection? Had anyone discussed the process with him?
Who now is going to lift the poison chalice?
In steps the delicate, self-effacing, and unduly modest Margaret Curran MSP to single-handedly rescue the Scottish Labour Party from the impending electoral catastrophe by standing for MP whilst getting the undying love and adoration of the Scottish Parliamentary Labour Party in her likely plan to be leader of Labour in Scotland.
Is this woman totally bonkers?
In the words of the old joke, "You don't have to be mad to want to get elected to these positions, but it helps."
Having discharged both barrels into their feet, Labour are now playing catch-up in the race.
My initial reaction was a big swing to the SNP and a modest victory for Labour, after a hard-fought and poisonous campaign.
Now the stakes are bigger than ever. There is no doubt in my mind that a loss will force the departure of Gordon Brown, possibly amidst blood-letting, score-settling, and a lemming-like instinct for self-destruction.
Mrs Curran looks like one of these dolled-up mutton-dressed-as-lamb biddies that you see sitting in groups in the lounge bar of Glasgow pubs, whilst the husbands get the drinks in and pretend to enjoy themselves whilst actually watching the sport on TV and wishing they were in the public bar. But the women probably carry a switchblade or a hatchet, and you DO NOT mess with them.
Mrs Curran can now reasonably demand that all resources are thrown behind her by Labour in both Scotland and at Westminster, as the threat is now to Labour in both locations. Because, if a putative leader of the Labour Party in Scotland does very, very badly, or even looks like losing then what hope is there for the rest of the MPs and MSPs? Indeed what future is there for the Labour Party in those circumstances?
The vote must hold up (after allowing for the 'mid term swing against' that the pundits will roll out) well enough to see off the SNP and show that Labour have won. For which read "kept the swing to below 15%."
Margaret Curran as MP, MSP and leader of Labour in Scotland suddenly becomes an intriguing combination, especially when compared and contrasted to Alex Salmond holding the same posts in the SNP. In those circumstances I would prophesy that Ms Curran will be 'interim' leader and she will announce her resignation as MSP and stand-down as Leader and challenge Salmond to do the same. That will cause more problems for the SNP than it will for Labour.
All in all, it is going to be nasty, hypocritical and unedifying. Just what us bloggers want.
The Labour Party had managed to line up a solid candidate but failed to make sure he actually wanted the job, and as a consequence he went awol on the night of the selection. Where were his minders? Who was taking him to the selection? Had anyone discussed the process with him?
Who now is going to lift the poison chalice?
In steps the delicate, self-effacing, and unduly modest Margaret Curran MSP to single-handedly rescue the Scottish Labour Party from the impending electoral catastrophe by standing for MP whilst getting the undying love and adoration of the Scottish Parliamentary Labour Party in her likely plan to be leader of Labour in Scotland.
Is this woman totally bonkers?
In the words of the old joke, "You don't have to be mad to want to get elected to these positions, but it helps."
Having discharged both barrels into their feet, Labour are now playing catch-up in the race.
My initial reaction was a big swing to the SNP and a modest victory for Labour, after a hard-fought and poisonous campaign.
Now the stakes are bigger than ever. There is no doubt in my mind that a loss will force the departure of Gordon Brown, possibly amidst blood-letting, score-settling, and a lemming-like instinct for self-destruction.
Mrs Curran looks like one of these dolled-up mutton-dressed-as-lamb biddies that you see sitting in groups in the lounge bar of Glasgow pubs, whilst the husbands get the drinks in and pretend to enjoy themselves whilst actually watching the sport on TV and wishing they were in the public bar. But the women probably carry a switchblade or a hatchet, and you DO NOT mess with them.
Mrs Curran can now reasonably demand that all resources are thrown behind her by Labour in both Scotland and at Westminster, as the threat is now to Labour in both locations. Because, if a putative leader of the Labour Party in Scotland does very, very badly, or even looks like losing then what hope is there for the rest of the MPs and MSPs? Indeed what future is there for the Labour Party in those circumstances?
The vote must hold up (after allowing for the 'mid term swing against' that the pundits will roll out) well enough to see off the SNP and show that Labour have won. For which read "kept the swing to below 15%."
Margaret Curran as MP, MSP and leader of Labour in Scotland suddenly becomes an intriguing combination, especially when compared and contrasted to Alex Salmond holding the same posts in the SNP. In those circumstances I would prophesy that Ms Curran will be 'interim' leader and she will announce her resignation as MSP and stand-down as Leader and challenge Salmond to do the same. That will cause more problems for the SNP than it will for Labour.
All in all, it is going to be nasty, hypocritical and unedifying. Just what us bloggers want.
18 comments:
The same Margaret Curran who resigned in 1980 as vice-chair of the Glasgow Uni Labour Club following allegations of involvement in an attempt to rig the conference of the National Organisation of Labour Students.
Strange that the sitting MP David Marshall resigned "on health grounds" around the same time that an investigation was underway into his Westminster expenses.
Of course, Curran is only the 3rd choice Labour candidate (at best).
First choice, George Ryan, chose not to stand "for family reasons", probably unrelated to the expected Standards Commission of Scotland investigation into the Paddy's Market scandal - a dodgy land deal in which several Glasgow Labour councillors (including Ryan) are involved.
Councillor Steven Purcell, the second choice, is another involved in the Paddy's Market deal.
As is Councillor Stephen Curran, who happens to be the son of, yes, Margaret Curran.
The same Margaret Curran who was election agent for Mohammed Sarwar when he was charged with election offences in 1997.
And to complete the circle, Christina Marshall, daughter of ex-MP David, was at the centre of the "Wishawgate" scandal in 2003, where large sums of money disappeared from Jack McConnell's constituency office.
"And the SNP would never ever ever be accused (or be guilty) of such treachery, would they???
The answer to that would appear to be "No", unless you have any staggering undiscovered scandals that perhaps you just forgot to mention in your comment.
NuLabour are heading right down the toilet. Another flush, anyone?
Anon 7:54pm,
If you are aware of any irregularities involving the SNP, Liberal, Conservative, Green or SSP candidates for Glasgow East, then feel free to share them with the rest of us.
Anon 7.37 I would check your facts before you send in a post. Stephen Curran – “son of Margaret Curran” – if you check her biog details she’s got 2 boys, both of whom are students. None is a councillor.
One quick look at the East End of Glasgow is proof positive that it has been let down by successive Labour Councils and Governments.
End of story.
Donald John Macsween was in Glasgow last week.
Is DJ MacSween Margaret Curran's son too?
Uncle? maybe.
I hear that Billy MacNeil is ABM father.
8:07 i am an SNP supporter - but i have got to admire Nu lab's tactics - for the first time in years someone else is playing the long game in politics - this time round - when they get the walloping they truley deserve they are going to say "Ah, but it was all the fault of the naughty by-election" 9:49 I think that was figurative as in "son-of-Sefeu"
Cameron's theme of the day 'lock up knife carriers'.
GB's 'Stop chucking out the left overs'.
I wonder which one will resonate with the electorate.
Labour get a grip.
Lock up the knife thugs but do not hold the suspect bombers for 42 days.
Given that the NATS have just ditched Lacky for some boring bloke from the Truman show, after Salmond couldnt get Duncan Hamilton imposed- they have a cheek talking about anyone being second or third choice!
Labour will retain the seat, by the simple tactic of reminding the electorate who protected their unemployment and disability benefits.
5.01 pm
Please tell me that your post is some kind of sick joke, no pun intended.
Feed knife thugs my leftovers.
Its a big ask to overcome such a large majority but labour has accumulated so much baggage over the last 50 years in that part of Glasgow and have little to show for their time in office. Besides I reckon Ms Curran (lab) is 5th choice and has told a few lies in the first day with regards to her local roots its looking more of a possibility that they could lose !!
Nothing would surprise me now.
Come on Angus. You know full well that Alex Salmond stated he would stand down as an MP at the General Election during his campaign for the Scottish Parliament. The people of the North East knew this and he was still elected.
Margaret Curran said on Newnight Scotland Thursday night that she would " erm... I shall have to erm... in the short term erm ..."
Clear as a bell her stance about it!
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