MANY of us were born into Labour-voting families, but then so many of us realised Labour in Scotland had left us, their traditional support, behind a long time back. Now, for the sake of a strong democracy and a strong opposition, the question has to be asked: just what is Labour in Scotland for these days?
On the eve of their national conference, the latest internecine war erupted: doubts circulate about Corbyn’s health and long-term capabilities, leading to the successor challenge syndrome. Have they learned nothing? It would appear not. And somewhere in all of that, we see the pretendy Scottish leader Richard Leonard, attempting gravitas. A non-entity when he should be a somebody.
READ MORE: First Minister slams Jeremy Corbyn after Labour conference vote on Brexit
Labour may strut, but most likely will continue to stutter across the political landscape. And still Labour cannot accept the need for change; to recognise that Scotland and its people have changed. Are they so craven that they will either openly or quietly encourage supporters – because yes, there are still some – to play tactics in the forthcoming General Election by supporting LibDems to keep the SNP out of office in some last-ditch stance to prove their warped theory there is no appetite for independence?
More likely they will continue to dance to London HQ’s tune of wait and see what orders are issued. “No pact, no truck with nationalists”. Oh wait, that is until the elections, and a slight possibility of a Labour minority government so that support from SNP is required? Or the “no to a referendum”, or how about “a referendum with a 60% vote Yes”?
READ MORE: Leonard's Labour conference speech overshadowed by racism row
ill the SNP play ball? I am reminded of a snowball in a very hot place. Unless of course, with their ability to work across parties, and their history of being a minority government, so that any “offers” to the SNP can be worked to our advantage. And in all of this Labour here languishes.
There is no possibility (that snowball again) that Leonard will do the unthinkable and declare his own independence by acknowledging what has changed here and what will continue to do so. So, to be remembered as the party that pioneered socialism, the NHS, local authority housing, then recognised the aspirations of the people, and moved to serve them? Or to be the party that forgot its roots, served London before Scotland, forged alliances with the Tory Lite LibDems, and even the Tories in Scotland, and was left in the political wastelands come independence?
I have no regard for the party I once supported, but I do believe that a broad church of political opinion and choice is a strong democratic base that every nation requires, so for the future of democracy I hope there are still some in Labour here who will come out for independence. Remember Labour for Independence? Unions were once considered the preserve of Labour: where are they now? Workers’ rights? Workers’ future? Unions Supporting Independence? Will the last AUOB march in October see any such banners? They’d get a warm welcome.
Selma Rahman
Edinburgh
FROM the shenanigans leading up to the Labour party conference, why would anyone vote Labour? First you have Momentum trying to oust the party’s Deputy Leader, Tom Watson MP. Then you have the Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard on Sunday Politics Scotland call for clarity on the Labour party’s policy on Brexit!
Difficult one to answer, because on the most crucial situation the country has faced in decades – Brexit – the Labour party has no firm policy and certainly no unity. Despite hours spent in the House of Commons debating Brexit with Labour sitting as the main opposition, they have nothing to offer the country.
So back to my point, why would anyone vote Labour?
Catriona C Clark
Falkirk
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