Articles by Henry McLeish
The clock is running down to the 11 May deadline for responses to the Scottish Government’s consultation paper on the referendum. Early skirmishes on the referendum have died down but we may have another two and a half years to agonise over the issue. It would be tragic, insulting and defy common sense if that time was spent only saying ‘No’ to independence without a new and better alternative for Scotland being hammered out on the anvil of Scottish democracy by the Unionist parties. Britain remains an overcentralised State and, whether or not Westminster is fed up with the constitutional question, it won’t go away. That is why it would be convenient and less challenging to pretend that defeating independence will be an end to the nation’s search for a [...]
The Conservatives may be a spent force in Scottish politics, but the behaviours of the Cameron-led Coalition Government pose a real threat to our politics and democracy. The last few weeks have meant humiliation for the Conservatives, and hell for the country; we’ve witnessed levels of incompetence, abuses and ignorance rarely seen. As for the moral compass now guiding the Lib Dems as they provide cover for a full-scale Conservative onslaught on the British welfare state… Are we so gullible that we are failing to see the Conservatives’ retreat from their traditions and their being increasingly like the US Republican Party, i.e., embracing ‘movement conservatism’ and identity politics? Under the ‘we are all in it together’ banner, the nation signed up for the cuts agenda, believing this was right given [...]
The contrast, between the powerful imagery of David Cameron’s visit to Washington as the guest of President Obama and the spectacle of the Republican party imploding via a remarkable hate contest between Republican candidates in the primary races, could not be more dramatic or profound. Washington remains the most powerful and glamorous global political capital. Obama warmly embraced the opportunity to celebrate the ‘special relationship’ with the UK while. David Cameron escaped bruising domestic matters. However, several important foreign policy issues, including Afghanistan, Iran and Syria had to be addressed, particularly the danger of a military strike by Israel on Iran’s nuclear sites. Despite China, Brazil and India’s growing influence, the US remains the most powerful country in the world. For reasons of defence, intelligence, global military reach, finance, trade, [...]
Labour in Scotland and in the UK, have nothing to fear from the SNP, nor the Scottish electors if they build on their leader, Johann Lamont’s confident conference embrace of a more progressive party, reconnect with the Scottish people, stand up for Scotland and make a commitment to more powers for the Scottish Parliament to both strengthen the UK and Scotland’s place within the Union. Johann Lamont should be boosted by three self-evident truths. First, the overwhelming majority of Scots want to stay in the Union. Second, there remains a huge potential vote for Labour in Scotland. People voted SNP, not because of the SNP’s embrace of independence and populism but because they no longer knew what Labour stood for and were fed up being taken for granted by a [...]
Relief beyond belief
Mood, morale and momentum matter in politics and so does the psychological boost of victory. That’s why Labour should enjoy their success in last week’s council elections and reflect positively on what this could mean for them in Scotland as they face huge electoral challenges between 2014 and 2016, including a referendum on independence.
Setting aside the 2010 general election result, the rise of the SNP over the last five years has been relentless and has severely dented Labour’s confidence and self-belief. For Johan Lamont, the new Labour leader in Scotland, she can now make real progress and can take some credit for dragging the party back from the brink, providing focus and, especially in Glasgow, restoring organisational credibility and a sense of purpose.
There is, of course, no cause for complacency and Labour faces a formidable range of challenges not least, the constitutional question, the building of a Scottish identity and what kind of progressive centre-left party they wish to create in the increasingly volatile politics of Scotland.
For the SNP, their momentum has been jolted but they too have made progress. It had the largest number of candidates and seats won; overall control of two councils; and gained 57 new seats. As the governing, and, increasingly, the establishment party, the SNP will start to bear the brunt of electoral disapproval, despite so far being relatively immune from this.
More importantly, as a new government with limited experience, they have much to learn. In Glasgow, the strongest of Labour strongholds, they lacked experience of city politics and were found wanting in the hard street politics of local council elections and the hand-to-hand combat this requires.
The SNP also underestimated the impressive work done by the Labour-controlled city council in exceptionally difficult times. Their hyping of expectations may have bred some complacency; it is unwise to believe your own propaganda ...
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