JUST like going to the World Cup, Richard Leonard is completely alien to most Scots.
Days after a shocking European election result – both in Scotland and the wider UK – and less than 24 hours after two frontbench resignations, the man who even Scottish Labour supporters would struggle to pick out of a line-up appears to have launched a Twitter account promoting his prospects of becoming first minister.
READ MORE: Scottish Labour implodes after disastrous European elections
And even though our heroic women’s team will soon introduce many Scots to such experiences as belting out the national anthem at a major tournament and getting drunk in a foreign city-centre fountain, we’re not sure this move will help improve upon the 37% of Scottish Labour voters who actually know who the Scottish Labour leader is.
Credit: Greg Moodie
READ MORE: Even Scottish Labour voters don't know who Richard Leonard is
It must be a joke, right?
We’re not so sure, actually. We’re torn. Though surely they can’t be serious when, after their drubbing in last week’s European Parliament election, the Scottish Labour leader’s new account tweets: “A remarkable wave of support for @LabourRichard has flooded social media tonight in Scottish Labour circles – let’s keep this going. Only a socialist leadership can regain trust in Scotland.”
A remarkable wave of support for @LabourRichard has flooded social media tonight in Scottish Labour circles - let’s keep this going. Only a socialist leadership can regain trust in Scotland. pic.twitter.com/TAO9v9LxP9
— Richard Leonard for FM (@LeonardForFM) May 28, 2019
That first line would be indisputably true if by “wave” they mean the type you do when you are seeing someone off, and if by “support” they mean aiding him into the nearest available taxi.
You’d think that a remarkable wave of support would be accompanied by some, you know, support.
Instead, the 260 likes (at the time of writing) on the tweet is being heavily outweighed by 300-plus responses mocking it.
Here are a few of those:
I met Richard Leonard’s remarkable wave of support at a charity do once...
— BeldamLascar (@BeldamLascar) May 29, 2019
I've set up my own ballot box in my toilet and I voted for Richard tonight and I will vote again for him tomorrow and the next day too.
— brant grebner (@DugsHeid) May 28, 2019
Leonard for FM,Aye this has got to be a parody account
— David Crayton (@doufous) May 28, 2019
There was also a remarkable wave of calls for his resignation. Go figure!
— 🌟VanessaS✨ (@Midwifesupastar) May 28, 2019
No trust left for the Scottish branch office. Born in Huddersfield, Staunch Labour until I moved to Scotland. Independence all the way.
— Jayne Aerial (@trapezer) May 29, 2019
My grandson makes bigger waves when he farts in the bath.
— scott k logie (@scottklogie1) May 28, 2019
He's got to stay. Amazing progress in such a short time. His first election has put a bigger than I expected dent in the Labour support. Only 9% to go Richard. You can do it! At this rate one more election will do. 👍
— MibbesAye (@AyeMibbes) May 29, 2019
Maybe the Scottish Labour leader would be better served trying to raise his profile or his party's election fortunes, rather than attempting to run before he can walk...
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