The Herald
So Wendy's kicking against Westminster and made the big U-turn perhaps towards fiscal autonomy - or is it merely posturing to calm the mob?

Personally I hope it's the former - if Ms Alexander is indeed prepared to discuss matters fiscal it's a refreshing change from the previous Labour position of denial.

I know she's one of Gordons favourites but will she escape his wrath because of that? To have a "Scottish Labour Party" as opposed to a "Labour Party in Scotland" is more than a play on words - it gives the scope of Labour in Holyrood breaking from the Westminster party line - something that Jack McConnell either couldn't or wouldn't do.
I don't know if she'll live up to the "Genius" tag foisted upon her by some - and her opening "caterpillar" speech was an embarrasment - but it would be healthly to have a strong opposition in Holyrood.

If Wendy Alexander is indeed serious then she has her work cut out - but fair play to her and I sincerely wish her luck.

Wendy seems like a very nice lady: but is she a credible leader for the horny handed sons and daughters of toil in Scotland? Does she possess the clout? Can she kick ass?

Robin T Cox wrote:
Wendy seems like a very nice lady: but is she a credible leader for the horny handed sons and daughters of toil in Scotland? Does she possess the clout? Can she kick ass?

Time will tell - but she'll have to sort her own party out before turning on the SNP - they'll drop her like a hot brick if they sense an opportunity in it.

Hmmmm, I'm not so sure, When I get the feeling of sincerity and honesty from her then perhaps she'll have a chance but the whole of her party just comes across as unbelievable at the moment. they say she is very clever, she'll need to be a magician I reckon.

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2364419.ece

She's now arguing for independence for London !!!<br><br>Post edited by: TLJ, at: 2007/09/01 10:30

Nice one

Oh dear! Who didn't read the document then?

Also check out her coupon at the end - priceless!

Wendy Alexander appeared unable to even breathe fresh air, let alone actually be described as &quot;a breath of fresh air&quot; (presumably for labour in Scotland rather than for Scotland herself) or at least that is the impression given judging by the expression on her face when a half decent politician representing Scottish interests gave a retort.

I remain unconvinced that she, or the Labour scottish branch of Westminster are going to be in a position to actually do much than blatantly fail to represent Scottish interests in their chosen method of opposition.

I wondered if there was a way that this site could have an area where all the youtube or other internet broadcasting systems could be available on this site exclusively (warts and all, nothing sycophantic as I believe the host would adhere to anyway having a bit of knowledge on his nature).

There is no proper collection of interviews, political programs or other such information in the media of film footage readily available that I am aware of.

We could even have a special section where George Foulkes' words of wisdom could be available to apply some coherent and rational counter-balance to what the new Scottish Government are about.

Kinghob wrote:

I wondered if there was a way that this site could have an area where all the youtube or other internet broadcasting systems could be available on this site exclusively (warts and all, nothing sycophantic as I believe the host would adhere to anyway having a bit of knowledge on his nature).

There is no proper collection of interviews, political programs or other such information in the media of film footage readily available that I am aware of.

We could even have a special section where George Foulkes' words of wisdom could be available to apply some coherent and rational counter-balance to what the new Scottish Government are about.

I think you are goiing along a line I had been thinking about - having a sort of virtual reference library of publicly available documents (which, of course could include video/audio recordings). It's easily enough done.

superb idea Kinghob, I'd like to see that.

I reckon it would be well hit by those looking for such things. Personally i have to trawl all over the shop to get footage of stuff, particularly political highlights such as Wendy Alexander on Newsnight last night, her ineptness obviously makes sure that some media type makes it difficult to find for all to see and have an opinion on.

I particularly find that Newsnight is a Newsnightmare when it comes to finding the Scottish program, and some of the interviews have been the best for years!

Same with that politics now programme, it is much more difficult for the union brigade to drone on and hog the news nowadays, but no easier to access the information or footage after the fact.

If I can help in any manner i would LJ, even if it was some dosh, as I believe it would be innovative, and pput this site on the map.

Alexander will go on attack, but without naming names

So the Herald's gone from &quot;Wendy&quot; to &quot;Alexander&quot;? Interesting....

In the draft of her speech...

We will return to being a party of principle and energy - a party committed to changing itself and to changing Scotland, and a party fit to fight and fit to govern.


So, by implication, she is admitting that Labour were not a party of principle and energy?

Back in the 1990s, Labour had to modernise to win....There were a few in our party north of the border who thought modernisation wasn't for us. They were wrong.

What Labour realised in England a decade ago, we need to face up to in Scotland today.

To regain the trust of the Scottish people, Labour in Scotland needs to change and needs to reform.

Translation:- To all you Old Labour - you've been rumbled by the plebs. Get with the program and appear to be upbeat and full of empathy. Do as I say and stop stabbing me in the back.

It won't work, I'm afraid. The electorate are already sick of New Labour...been there, done that, seen through them....so giving us an updated version of 1997 &quot;Things can only get better&quot; is grasping at straws. Perhaps if you tried the socialist values of the original party you just might get somewhere....but I doubt it.

Blaming everything on the previous incumbents of your position won't wash either. You may want to give the impression of independent thought from Westminster but you're one of Gordon Brown's protege's and everyone knows it. You're fooling no-one.

dws wrote:The electorate are already sick of New Labour...

Well I'm not so sure. If Gordy called an election next month I think he would have a fair chance of winning even if, as seems likely, Labour took a pasting in Scotland because of the popularity of the SNP. The downside for Wendy and her chums is that ranks of Labour's mostly deadleg Westminster MPs would be reduced and the calls for Scots MPs to reduce their voting powers would increase. The opposition in England is in disarray with Cameron making a hash of being Mr Niceguy and the Lib Dems descending even further into farce so Labour are gaining ground by default and not by merit.

Levenax wrote:
The opposition in England is in disarray with Cameron making a hash of being Mr Niceguy and the Lib Dems descending even further into farce so Labour are gaining ground by default and not by merit.

You're right of course, Gordon Brown has no viable opposition at Westminster. I was referring to Wendy Alexander's anticipated fiefdom of Scotland, where the voter's have got an alternative, and it showed in May. Depsite the negative campaign of doom and gloom by Labour, despite the unbelievably biased media coverage against the SNP, Labour were crow-barred out of power.

More of the same won't get them back in - quite the reverse.

Absolutely true dws.

Brown would win an election, but the public of the british isles are aware that they are choosing between two bowls of shite.

In Scotland it would be different, but in the time-scale of a snap election it would be difficult to make as big an impact than if we wait a while.

Still reckon Brown might get a few surprising kickings UK wide, let alone in Scotland and personally, speaking as a mere pleb, I'd wait a while if I were UK labour. that's why they were crapping their pants to announce such a thing as a snap election when they have the best opportunity ever in their bloody UK conference!

But waiting is good for Scotland.

What a dilemma, who would have thought that Scottish politics could be at last interesting, and who would have thought that being a gravy train Westminster type, or even Holyrood type could be shown clearly as being for an average future in Scotland when it comes to gaining votes.

Well, I have thought this would happen for a few years now, and 'fruition' does indeed comes to mind. none of what occurs being particularly detrimental to the current Scottish Government unless they start attending sex clubs for a nipple tweaking they can get all too easily from their wives or husbands should the need arise.