SNP Deputy Leadership Election
With tomorrow (Wednesday 12th October) being the last day that members of the SNP can vote for the party’s new depute leader, I figured it was finally time to cast my vote.
- Tommy Sheppard MP
- Alyn Smith MEP
No Further Votes.
For me, Tommy has the drive, and practical experience, even the realism attitude and understanding of how we can make effective use of our diverse membership. The opportunity for individual members to submit policies for consideration through the party’s website was a massive step in the right direction, and Tommy has spoken of devoting 10% of party income to the training and support mechanism and worker power to enable individuals and branches Scotland-wide to contribute. With his background, I also feel that he has the diverse appeal to voters beyond our own party.
Alyn’s candidacy is ideal in terms of timing. Having such a dedicated MEP in such a visible role for our party in this post-Brexit climate would demonstrate our party’s commitment to the European Union, however I fear that Alyn’s profile within Scotland isn’t what it should be, through no fault of his own. I don’t believe that the SNP MEPs are given the level of spotlight that may be necessary for Alyn to garner enough support to win the role. That said, I do love his frankness in the deputy hustings and interviews. If it had been possible to distribute equal points to both Alyn and Tommy then I would have, however my own sense of realism suggests that the latter is better placed right now. Though, perhaps more through experience of meeting him at a handful of events in recent years, maybe even just from living in his local area, Tommy edges it for me.
Angus Robertson MP… Angus isn’t going anywhere, and I expect him to continue to be a part of the SNP’s Westminster cohort for years to come. For me, he’s fought this election campaign with a sense of entitlement regarding his candidacy. He’s often talked about his close working relationship with Nicola Sturgeon, suggesting that “the depute leadership election is about who can work best in a team with our leader”. No, this elected role needs to go to someone who is able to do more than just work with Nicola. A broader appeal to those beyond guaranteed SNP voters. I also disagree with his suggestion that the role will be best filled by someone from rural Scotland. There is no need for all our key roles to be filled by those who are Scots-born. New-Scots are a key part of our society, and as such that argument — that Angus’ background would mean “reflecting the whole of Scotland” — is false.
Whilst I’m in favour of all elements of the party having input to goings on within the SNP, I feel that Councillor Chris McEleny has been a very poor candidate. When he talks of how he believes that the ‘vast majority’ of the Scottish population want a progressive and just society, and of how we are a welcoming country, he comes across as removed from the reality of the situation I see working in our communities. Where Tommy sounds practical, Chris sounds like he’s spouting the usual independence rhetoric rather than the duality of our current situation. Finally, his comments about that Catholic schools should be exempt from inclusive education were unforgiveable.
