I have been sent this letter which comes from Dot Jessiman, a member of the SNP NEC. She has not had an reply. It highlights some of the problems with the way the vote was conducted. A secret ballot on the NEC was unheard of in my day. NEC members are expected to be accountable at all times. PR was never ever used. The vote was unconstitutional and as such should be declared null and void. My thanks to Dot for her honesty and being held accountable. If others did the same this mess would never have happened.
From: Dorothy Jessiman <mail@Redacted
Sent: 03 August 2020 19:07
To: ‘Business Convener’ <redacted
Cc: ‘national.secretary <national.secretary
Subject: Double Vetting – Vote taken NEC Meeting 30th July 2020
Dear Kirsten ,
Having thought over the matter very carefully I am writing to you to challenge the manner and form of the vote taken on this item. I think it will by now be clear that my warning of the impossibility in the circumstances of our being seen as impartial was more than justified. Given that many speakers claimed to be taking a decision of principle the need for a secret ballot it seems odd, and certainly would seem to imply that the members were well aware of the probable result of certain of the options and chose, shamefully, to hide their actions behind a secret ballot. More importantly I wish to challenge the use of the single transferable vote and in a form that left no option to abstain from expressing a “preference” on options some of which I found frankly abhorrent. I was therefore unable to prevent my preferences from contributing to a succession of increasingly unacceptable options including the most extreme. Others must have been similarly placed leaving the final result in dispute . I am not prepared to accept this or to be seen as a party to it. The only democratic action available to us is for the vote – open – to be retaken and voted on a straight yes/no basis for each option.
Well said Dot.
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I was always proud to tell prospective members that we. SNP were an open party that welcomed discussion and input and that decisions were made openly encouraging input from our members unlike unionist parties . I fear we have been infiltrated by those same secretive self promoting (ex?) Unionists .BEWARE and Be Aware !
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While it maybe true that some who have joined the SNP since 2014 may not have the SNP or independence as their goal? Politics also attracts some strange characters and I think what is going on right now has more to do with certain people wanting to protect their position rather than outside influences. Just look at who was involved in setting up the NEC votes and who gave advice on the processes etc. Then you will see the people involved. Transparency is the best way to sanitise a process.
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Sadly I think you’re right Harry. We’ve all come across the ruthless self promoters in our lives. However, these malignant muppets have to be removed, thrown out of the party. They place their concerns and issues above the party and the country making them false patriots. Enough of their neurotic demands…time to focus on what matters…INDEPENDENCE!!!!!
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This NEC rule change must have followed legal advice? So I doubt this was simply the actions of a few small self promoters. I’m not saying that there aren’t self promoters but this was a process.
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Can only agree with Dot and the comments above.
The party seems to be in a position where decisions are being influenced by a group who have attached themselves to the SNP because of the party’s electoral success. They appear to be trying to convert the SNP into a party which stands on a policy of denying science and treating women as if they don’t exist.
Independence is at best secondary to the group’s real interests, even if they have any interest in independence at all.
If these people remain in positions of influence, like the parasites they are, they will eventually destroy the SNP and with it, all hope of independence.
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A strong SNP on message and on its feet fighting for independence together with a strong list party to deliver a super majority. That is what we want, that is what we require, and that is what we will get,
Sturgeon, Murrell , McCann, MacLeod do not own the SNP. They are only there as long as the members agree. Members, and indeed voters have choices.
That the Government, the First Minister’s government is now, refusing to deliver up documents requested by Parliament in the enquiry into the Salmond attempted stich up, one can only imagine the utter fear that exposure now brings to those who criminally sought to destroy Alex Salmond.
First saying that Covid19 was delaying the delivery of documents then only to say that the documents were legally privileged is an utter contempt. Who does Sturgeon think she is – Mussolini. My father and grandfather fought people like this, and I will not be part of a party which at its helm usurps parliament and rule of law.
The guilty charlatans need to go. they will go, or we will make them go. Our cause and our party is bigger and better than them.
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Vote them out at conference.
Or an online vote.
Where there’s a will there’s a way.
🐼🐼
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It is the Westminster branch of the “Scottish” civil service that is withholding documents, not the Scottish parliament under Nicola Sturgeon. Before j
You start a rant at least look for facts.
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Sorry John, that is just not true.
It is up to Ministers and Law Officers, not Civil Servants, what papers get released. Of course, Civil Servants will be recommending what papers are released in order to save their hides and, if Ministers and Law Officers are also trying to save their hide, then they will go along with those recommendations.
And ‘the parliament’ is the body, represented by its committee, that is being denied the documents. What we have here is a Government deliberately refusing to provide its primary scrutinising body with the information it needs to do its job.
Seems the SNP Government is all for openness and transparency but only when there is nothing to see.
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Wow!! never knew this John. I thought it was Scot Gov refusing to comply. Thanks for clearing this up.
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Let’s just get this SNP party back to why they originated in the first place the people voted them in on independence and independence only,that is the sole purpose of the SNP no self respecting member will. Accept Anything less, let’s get back to grass roots.
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Thanks Iain
I’m keeping in touch with Dot.
Did you see Robin McAlpine’s blog?
Blessings
Ed
From: YOURS FOR SCOTLAND Reply-To: YOURS FOR SCOTLAND Date: Friday, 7 August 2020 at 09:39 To: Edward Andrews Subject: [New post] THAT JOANNA CHERRY NEC VOTE
iainlawson27 posted: ” I have been sent this letter which comes from Dot Jessiman, a member of the SNP NEC. She has not had an reply. It highlights some of the problems with the way the vote was conducted. A secret ballot on the NEC was unheard of in my day. NEC members are ex” Respond to this post by replying above this line
New post on YOURS FOR SCOTLAND
THAT JOANNA CHERRY NEC VOTE by iainlawson27 I have been sent this letter which comes from Dot Jessiman, a member of the SNP NEC. She has not had an reply. It highlights some of the problems with the way the vote was conducted. A secret ballot on the NEC was unheard of in my day. NEC members are expected to be accountable at all times. PR was never ever used. The vote was unconstitutional and as such should be declared null and void. My thanks to Dot for her honesty and being held accountable. If others did the same this mess would never have happened.
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