 | 'A measure of the SNP's difficulties in getting back into the political game is that their leadership contest was eclipsed last week by a meat pie. On the very day candidates were throwing their hats into the ring, the political press corps were in hot pursuit of the culture minister, Frank McAveety.' Iain MacWhirter in the Sunday Herald 27 th June 2004. |  |
What we think
Wanted: a leader for the SNP. Must have hide of a rhinoceros and boundless optimism. Capable of winning business friends, appealing to left-leaning party members, reconciling tax cuts with profligate spending, and handling a substantial headbanger element. Leadership involves providing direction for a confused group of MSPs who do not know if they want to be in a devolved parliament at all. You will be required to explain why a reduction in Westminster representation is a solid base/stunning breakthrough from which the party will 'move forward in the next period of time'.
A track record of managing decline skilfully and with minimal campaign resources would be ideal. Single transferable accent required, as it is essential to appeal equally to Fraserburgh fishermen and Govan unemployed. Kilt-wearing optional. Shound appreshiation of Shir Shean's cinematic oeuvre a musht. The SNP is an unequal opportunities employer, in that women will be looked upon favourably.It has been observed that anyone hoping to take up where John Swinney left off last Tuesday is in need of having their head examined. Trying to lead the party does not look an attractive prospect. We said last week that to ditch Swinney as leader would be unfair on him and would miss the point. But he went anyway, and understandably so. Struggling through until the Westminster election while perceived as a lame duck was not going to be pleasant for him or the party. Now the challenge is to make sure the SNP does not miss the point again. The party must not confuse a change in leadership with the resolution of the key problems they face: what independence means in the modern era and modern Europe, how to reconcile themselves, at least temporarily, with devolution; how to be an opposition party amid expectations of a new style of politics; where they are positioned on economic and social issues; whether they want to be an alternative government or a party of protest and how (in common with other parties) to connect with disengaged voters.
If the leadership contest is to be between two women, who despite making barbed digs at their respective ages - 'experience' versus 'the new generation' - are long-time friends, there is a risk it will be a beauty contest in every sense. The SNP is to be congratulated in having two senior women capable of leading Scotland's main opposition party. But it is now up to Nicola Sturgeon, Roseanna Cunningham and whoever else might enter the leadership fray, to take the opportunity of a two-month campaign to have the debate the party badly needs.
That is why, with a reformed voting system including all party members as voters, others should enter the race. If there is an argument to be put about the party's future direction, this is the time to air it - no matter that it looks unlikely to win through. It should be enough to state the case. Not to do so disqualifies all party members from whingeing afterwards that they were not given adequate choice. Take note Alex Neil and those around you. Having lost the debate to John Swinney in 2000 and again last year, those who believe that more full-blooded Braveheart nationalism is the key to the party's revival must explain why. Simply asserting it as an article of blind faith should not be accepted as sufficient: this is the time to explain and argue, rather than re-opening hostilities after the September 3 result. Even those outside the SNP would better respect a party with some internal discipline.
Take note also, Mike Russell. This complex character - former MSP and party chief executive - is out of the parliament, having lost his seat last year. His larger-than-life personality has won him no shortage of enemies within the SNP. But he also has something to offer this contest. The party should not overlook his communication and organisational skills, as well as the fact that he is also probably the only person in the party capable of striking some fear into the Labour-led Executive. Like Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher (admittedly not comparisons that will help him with SNP members), he could make his party electable by taking it by the scruff of the neck, challenging it to reorient itself to winning power, and so knock some electability into it.
It does not take a nationalist to favour a strengthened and united SNP. Its friends would wish it to open up to scrutiny and debate now, just as its enemies would prefer its disputes to go on long after this contest. A leadership contest should strengthen the party. So let there be a wider choice. Let there be a full debate about the SNP's commitment or otherwise to the new Holyrood parliament. And let battle commence.
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