Flure Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Scottish Labour should brace itself for the loss of every constituency seat at Holyrood next year, senior party insiders have privately warned. They predict the party will struggle to recover from its thumping in the General Election in time for next May's Scottish poll. One said: "We have to assume we won't win any of the constituency seats in the Scottish Parliament election and that has to be the basis of our strategy." Such a defeat would still leave the party with some MSPs at Holyrood - thanks to the additional member 'top up' list. MSP Ken Macintosh, meanwhile, launched his leadership campaign saying that he was "realistic" about Labour's chances. Former leader Johann Lamont has backed the current frontrunner in the race Kez Dugdale. Labour tumbled from 40 MP's to just one last month after the SNP took 56 out of 59 seats in Scotland, with the Nationalists taking 50 per cent of the vote, Labour 24 per cent and the Conservatives 15 per cent. Eastwood MSP Mr Macintosh said his first priority would be to make the party "less tribal" and more willing to work with others, including the SNP. While he said it would be "artificial" to set a combined constituency and list seat target, he admitted: "I'm realistic about where we are, I'm realistic about Labour's chances. We've just had a terrible defeat. "My aim over this year is to be a constructive opposition." Mr Macintosh also said he was confident he would win enough nominations from the party's MSPs and European and Westminster parliamentarians to allow him to stand. Ms Lamont, who quit last year to be replaced by Jim Murphy, said Scottish Labour's deputy leader could give the party "a strong and modern voice". Ms Lamont dramatically quit last year accusing the UK Labour of treating Scotland like a "branch office". Ms Lamont warned that Murphy's successor had to be a "long-term, long-haul appointment". She said: "Scottish Labour is still in shock and we have many questions to ask of ourselves, arguments to reflect on and changes to make. That will not be done quickly and cannot be for elected politicians alone. "Electing a new leader will not be enough but the right leader, supported and encouraged, can guide and drive that change. "It is hardly the easiest of jobs. Indeed, I have reflected that too often our party comes together to elect a leader and then steps back, arms folded, waiting to be disappointed." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flora MaDonald Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 A lovely way to start the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Endell Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I didn't realise Johann was married to cooncillor Archie Graham. I was talking to someone that drinks with Archie and he says Johann is very pleasant in a personal capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Of Paisley Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Given that the khunts abstained on an SNP movement regarding the Queens Speech, paving the way for £177m worth of cuts coming our way, hell fukin mend them. Deserve everything they get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aaid Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I didn't realise Johann was married to cooncillor Archie Graham. I was talking to someone that drinks with Archie and he says Johann is very pleasant in a personal capacity. She's worth following on Twitter at the moment. Surprisingly funny with quite a self depractory style. Only downside is some of the retweets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilser Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I heard Kezia Dugdale being interviewed this morning on the Today programme - she has all the emotional intelligence of an automated telephone answering service. Press button 1 if you want to hear why the SNP is bad. Press button 2 if you want to hear about hardworking families... She was witterring away selected phrases from the Labour Manifesto at breakneck speed in her teenage voice no matter what question was asked. Not an original thought in her head - God help the Scottish Labour branch office if she gets the gig... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bzzzz Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 I heard Kezia Dugdale being interviewed this morning on the Today programme - she has all the emotional intelligence of an automated telephone answering service. Press button 1 if you want to hear why the SNP is bad. Press button 2 if you want to hear about hardworking families... She was witterring away selected phrases from the Labour Manifesto at breakneck speed in her teenage voice no matter what question was asked. Not an original thought in her head - God help the Scottish Labour branch office if she gets the gig... Fingers crossed she will continue Murphy's downward spiral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armchair Bob Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 They might get it right second time of asking with Ken Macintosh, time will tell if SLAB are still aiming all their fire at the SNP via their feet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orraloon Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 (edited) They might get it right second time of asking with Ken Macintosh, time will tell if SLAB are still aiming all their fire at the SNP via their feet. Ken Macintosh is the only credible candidate. If they don't pick him this time then Labour are finished in Scotland, IMO. Edited June 5, 2015 by Orraloon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittymeister Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Ken Macintosh is the only credible candidate. If they don't pick him this time then Labour are finished in Scotland, IMO.Then let's hope they don't pick him!If I was a betting man I would put money on Deputy Dug getting the gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPROAR Posted June 5, 2015 Share Posted June 5, 2015 Ken Macintosh is the only credible candidate. If they don't pick him this time then Labour are finished in Scotland, IMO. you sure ? Im sure I read somewhere he was a 'Blairite'... I dont know much about the labour party but that would put him along there with Murph - not a credible position any more. Kez doesnt have the gravitas and she doesnt have the depth Nicola has.. I still think anyone not advocating Scottish policies independently of London is doomed to an electoral groundhog day..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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