The Election: What Scottish Labour Should Do Next (But Probably Won’t)

Post-election narratives don’t come much bigger than a party left staring into its very soul. Questions over leadership, policy, engagement with the electorate – this is how the debris of defeat is supposed to resemble. But to be so comprehensively outflanked by a party that – independence aside – occupies a similar wavelength of the political spectrum? Ouch. For Scottish Labour must be hurting right now. Watching as your share of vote tumbles from 42% to a shade over 24% …

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Scotland: Degrees of Freedom.

Devo Max (or Full Fiscal Autonomy) seems to be getting some traction. There’s been two big name proponents over the last week or so. Canon Kenyon Wright wrote to the Herald: My own view is that a straight choice between independence and the status quo effectively disenfranchises a large number of Scots who want neither. Since this is a crucial decision for Scotland’s future governance, that is unacceptable. And: Imagine going into the polling booth in such circumstances and being forced …

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Johann Lamont – a Gael in charge…

The new  (first) leader of the Scottish Labour Party has the noble distinction of being the first MSP to contribute to a debate in the Scottish Parliament in Gaelic. Here’s her blog post. And here’s herstory.  Johann has lived all her life in Glasgow, yet both of her parents are Gaels from the Hebridean island of Tiree. In common with many other Glaswegians from such incoming communities, Johann feels her identity to be double-stranded, in which her love of the city is intermingled …

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And so to Inverclyde…

The vote is on Thursday for the first Westminster by-election since the SNP Holyrood victory. Daid Milliband says: “Any vote other than a Labour vote is a vote for the Tories” Meanwhile the SNP in Inverclyde are exposing Labour: “Ms McLaughlin exposed the Labour – Tory plan to sack council workers in a televised debate last week. Challenged again by Ms McLaughlin on BBC Politics Show Cllr McKenzie who sought to shout his way through the interview was forced to …

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The Psephology of Scotland (2) – Scottish Labour

Start with a few facts: 2007 Constituency results for Scottish Labour – 648,374, 32.2% 2011 Constituency results for Scottish Labour – 630,461, 31.7% So down 18,000 votes and 0.5%. 2007 Regional List results for Scottish Labour – 595,415, 29.2% 2011 Regional List results for Scottish Labour – 523,559, 26.3% So down 72,000 and 2.9% 2007 Constituency List differential – (53,000) 2011 Constituency List differential – (107,000) As a comparison for the SNP: 2007 Constituency List differential – (31,000) 2011 Constituency …

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