The outgoing leader of Labour MSPs at Holyrood, Iain Gray, has issued a warning to his successor once they are elected in December, reports Ed Jacobs.
The outgoing leader of Labour MSPs at Holyrood, Iain Gray, has issued a warning to his successor once they are elected in December.
Addressing a special conference of Scottish Labour which approved a package of measures to establish a stronger leader of the Scottish Labour party and more autonomy for the party north of the party to set its own direction and policies, Gray told those vying for the leadership:
“You will be attacked. You will be smeared. You will be lied about. You will be threatened.
“The cybernats and the bedsit bloggers will call you traitor, quisling, lapdog and worse. They will question your appearance, your integrity and your sexuality. They will drag your family and your faith into the lies and the vitriol. If you are a woman it will be worse.
“It is no consolation to know that any journalist or commentator who gives you a fair hearing will suffer the same. This is the poison some have brought into our politics and it is vile.
“It is time we started talking openly about it and it is time the SNP did something about it. They know who some of these people are. This is not how you build a better Scotland and Scotland deserves better.
“But those who bring light suffer burning. You will stand up to it and you should be proud to do so. You will be proud, proud to lead this movement. Newly empowered by the devolution of our party to match the devolution of our country.”
In one of her first major speeches since her appointment as shadow Scottish secretary, meanwhile, Margaret Curran brought with her a twin message for party members – a sober reflection of the severity of the electoral damage inflicted on the party in May’s elections to Holyrood together with a warning that “the time for self-reflection and introspection is over”.
However, at a conference in which the three contenders for the leadership of the party were quizzed by party members, the issue which was undoubtedly on the minds of delegates and speakers alike was the SNP’s plans for a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional future.
Speaking a week after the nationalists formally launched their roadmap to independence with a pledge that independence “ambassadors” will visit every household in Scotland, shadow defence secretary and co-author of the review into Scottish Labour’s future, Jim Murphy, argued the next leader of the party in Scotland would have responsibility for saving devolution from the threat of the SNP.
His declaration came as David Miliband voiced scepticism over plans for so called “devo-max” in which Scotland would gain full financial autonomy whilst keeping powers over defence and foreign policy with Westminster.
Dubbing it as the “maybe” option in an independence referendum during an interview with the Edinburgh Evening News, Miliband argued:
“I’ve never known a referendum that included a box that said ‘maybe’, but that seems to be what the SNP wants.”
His comments, however, will cause tensions within the party, after Labour MSP and former minister, Malcolm Chisholm, and former Labour first minister Henry McLeish voiced support for devo-max, with the Scotsman quoting what it describes as a “senior Labour insider” as saying many within the party support what Chisholm and McLeish have been arguing.
Writing on his personal blog, meanwhile, Iain Macwhirter, political columnist for the Sunday Herald, adds:
“Things are stirring in the Scottish Labour undergrowth. While MP and leadership hopeful, Tom Harris and the former aide to Tony Blair, John McTernan, continue to insist that Scotland has no future outside the union, and are warning Scots not to get big ideas about going it alone, others are beginning to realise that this is a doomed prospectus.
“The former Labour First minister, Henry McLeish, and Malcolm Chisholm, the only Labour MSP who remained standing in Edinburgh after the May massacre, are urging the party not to fall into the trap being left open for them by Alex Salmond. Labour cannot afford to back the No campaign in the Scottish independence referendum. It has no real option but to support “devolution max” or federalism.
“Otherwise, Alex Salmond will win even if he loses because the SNP leader has colonised the centre ground. Alex will be quite happy to accept fiscal autonomy as another giant step towards full independence. He’s a betting man and he likes an each way punt.”
See also:
• Scotland needs to get its transport infrastructure in order – Ken Macintosh MSP, October 27th 2011
• Scottish Labour needs to wake up to the threat of independence – Ed Jacobs, October 17th 2011
• Alexander outlines harsh truths for Scottish Labour as his own seat is axed – Ed Jacobs, October 13th 2011
• Scottish Labour needs a new Donald Dewar – Ed Jacobs, September 26th 2011
• Former Tory minister “in the pay of the Libyans” claims Labour MP – Ed Jacobs, September 12th 2011
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.
8 Responses to “Gray warns Scottish Labour successor of “poison” being levied at them”
Charles
Gray by name and gray by nature!?.
The man did nothing significant in office except run away to a coffee shop during the Scottish election’s!?
Indeed, all he did in his entire term as the Scottish Labour party Leader!, was to attack the SNP party, it’s supporter’s!, and has yet to come up with any clear policies in which the Scottish electorate would vote them in For!
The man and his party’s duplicitous nature has insured that by the time the Scottish referendum does appear!, and it will!, the vote will be unanimously yes!!.
One question to him and his party and to Westmidden is this!, If Scotland is such a burden and in debt, why will you have Not let it Go!!
Scots support “devo-max” as new Tory leader distances herself from Cameron | Left Foot Forward
[…] also: • Gray warns Scottish Labour successor of “poison” being levied at them – Ed Jacobs, October 30th […]
Now the hard work for Lamont begins – Scottish Labour needs a full redesign | Left Foot Forward
[…] also: • Gray warns Scottish Labour successor of “poison” being levied at them – Ed Jacobs, October 30th […]