THE FIX IS IN….AGAIN!
Many thought after the NEC elections in November that the Party was back in safe hands. Well I have bad news it’s not sufficiently yet, and the Woke Alliance are still intent on stripping selection procedures away from constituencies and ordinary members. Placing candidates from the minority affiliate groups as the number 1 list candidates in EVERY region across the country. COVID does not suspend their activities,not for a minute. Yes where conference delegates voted the results were good but so many are on this enlarged NEC that are appointed, with no say or support from ordinary members, the balance is still not certain on every vote.
There is a special meeting arranged of the NEC on the 10th February where the NEC will determine the latest Woke attempts to take over the Party. What is proposed is that the Number 1 spot on every regional list is split with 50% of the regions having BAME candidates imposed on them, with the other 50% of the number 1 spots in the rest of the country being allocated to disabled candidates.
To put that in perspective, the BAME population in Scotland measures just 4% but they are demanding 50% of the number 1 slots across the country. They have already decided what regions they want Glasgow, Lothians, North East Scotland and West of Scotland is their choice. The other four regions are to have their number 1 slot on the list reserved for disabled candidates, no doubt Woke disabled if they can swing it. Those four regions are Mid Scotland and Fife, Central Scotland, South Scotland and Highlands and Islands. There are reportedly 20% of Scotland’s population disabled but yet again the minorities proposal calls for 50% of the number 1 places. A quick bit of arithmetic confirms that no less than 76% of the population are denied any possibility of winning a number 1 slot in any region. Some equality?
The list for candidates to apply has closed so any selection is restricted to those candidates that were approved by the last selection board under the previous NEC. As people are aware there is no shortage of WOKE candidates who were approved at the expense of excellent non Woke candidates who were rejected if they presented a risk to being preferred to the Woke candidate. Very few Woke candidates were successful in being selected for seats despite being handed every advantage. This latest move to seize the Number one slots in EVERY region is stage 2 of the same plan. It gives them a second chance.
Of course given current polls it is unlikely the SNP will win many list seats but that does not mean ordinary members should accept this “match fixing” . The last elections in 2016 the SNP won four list seats, three places in South Scotland and one in Highlands and Islands. The current polling in Scotland is better than 2016 so it seems unlikely they could win four again, because of their improved success in winning constituencies outright in those regions.
The only reason this is not a fait accompli and did not get approval at the last NEC, being deferred until the 10th February, was because there was no counsel’s opinion presented to the meeting. Some members were concerned that such an extreme move could leave the Party open to a damaging action from those who would lose out through being relegated on the list because of these preferential arrangements. The potential PENALTY is five years salary for an MSP so we are not talking pennies here. I have not seen counsel’s opinion but I am told it does NOT recommend the action the minorities affiliate groups on the NEC are trying to push through. I am told they were told this by the newly elected Equalities Convener, but despite being given that advice they were still determined to force it through.
You would have thought the NEC would be aware of the enormous dissatisfaction with members money being squandered on paying legal bills for Alyn Smith and Peter Murrell and would be wary of running up more and opening the Party up to compensation claims that could run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Another potential bonus for the Woke Alliance is that one of the existing MSP’s who could lose their place through this fixed manipulation would be Joan McAlpine in South Scotland who is the number 2 target of the Woke after Joanna Cherry, because of her stance to safeguard women’s rights.
The only reason this was not approved at the last NEC was because some members wanted to read counsel’s opinion before voting. The newly elected Equalities Convener reported that Counsel’s opinion was negative but the minority affiliate groups still pressed to proceed despite this. The special meeting to discuss this on the 10th February, with counsel’s opinion available was the compromise. There is still a very real danger this proposal could be passed unless ordinary members contact NEC REPS and leave them in no doubt of your opposition. Don’t leave it to others you must make your voice heard if you want this stopped.
NEC members who oppose this must insist on a roll call vote. This is for two reasons firstly to allow the membership to know how exactly each member of the NEC voted on the matter and secondly to protect themselves from being individually sued in the event that any damages action was raised by anyone who lost income as a result of the decision.
These affiliate groups are constantly divisive and self serving. The fact that the Party Leader has built her support base round them and protects them from criticism is not right.Particularly when they behave so disgracefully with vicious personal attacks on other MP’s and MSP’s. The conduct committee should be intervening to sort this. I believe the National Secretary is required to submit complaints to them before they can act. I hope the newly elected National Secretary will do so.
The Party’s selection procedures are a mess, all female selection shortlists, fixed places at the top of every region in the country for minorities is an insult to the huge number of people who are excluded from the selection processes.
It’s also daft politics. The SNP are fighting to keep the ISP down and stop them becoming established. Fixing the top SNP place on the list across the country for minorities IN EVERY REGION creates a powerful reason for voting for the ISP with your list vote. It’s a huge opportunity for the ISP, GIFTED TO THEM BY THE NEC IF THEY PASS THIS.
THE SNP HAVE LOST THEIR WAY. ORDINARY MEMBERS, ONCE THE BACKBONE AND STRENGTH OF THE PARTY ARE HAVING THEIR VIEWS AND OPINIONS IGNORED WHILE THE LEADERSHIP TURN A BLIND EYE AS THE WOKE PURSUE THEIR DESTRUCTIVE AND DIVISIVE AGENDA.
IT IS TIME TO SPEAK UP….OR WITHER AWAY. THE SNP INTERNALLY ARE STILL IN BAD SHAPE. IT’S WAKEY, WAKEY to stop WOKEY, WOKEY!
Once again this blog delivers factual information, in time for urgent action to be taken. Information a faction in the Party would have much preferred remained secret until it was too late. Get your constituency to complain, this must be stopped! Electronic voting on ranking list candidates starts on the 15th February. Phone NEC members, send emails, make sure they know your feelings.
I am, as always
YOURS FOR SCOTLAND
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YOURS FOR SCOTLAND 