A really interesting topic, Kenny, and I think the better for being the spoken word. At least for me! Hearing the argument rather than reading it meant that I didn't get distracted by the voices in my head trying to wrestle with reading as well as interpreting and pondering and was therefore more engaged with the reasoning and development of your thesis. Mabe that's just me of course!
As for the thesis itself, I do agree with you that the hero voters in Scotland are not the Reform, Nigel Farage supporters, but the SNP long time 'defectors'. As for whether Annas Sarwar has the courage to target this group, I think he does, but may perhaps be restrained or distracted by the main Labour Party in Westminster fearing Reform and Farage more.
There is also the question of whether Scottish Labour MSP's ( I should perhaps say prospective MSP's )will be solidly behind Sarwar and and truly believe it as a strategy for winning.
You've argued the case before for a legislative process to manage Independence, which I think would be a strong basis for Sarwar to target the hero voter base, but would they trust him to deliver given the evidence/feeling that Labour is not delivering the change it promised in Westminster - although it's clearly very early days yet!
Thanks Charlie, that's most useful. You make a good point on whether Sarwar's own parliamentary candidates would have his back if he did this. Tbh that's not something I had considered. But it's certainly a factor that needs taken into account. I will ponder.
Definitely worth doing, I enjoyed listening to your thoughts rather than reading them for a change.
I wasn’t aware of the term “hero voter” before and according to your thesis I should be one of targets of Labour under this description. At best I would feel patronised but I think I’d be insulted if a Labour canvasser used the term to me. He would get at least an earful and may qualify for a “dab in the pus” as we would say in Dundee 🤣.
Labour have let me down for too long to expect my vote now. I voted for them from 1974 for 30 odd years but no more, they are LINO for me now.
Certainly a lot of food for thought as usual Kenny - thanks.
Thanks Ron. Definitely a long shot for Labour, given that so many voters share your view. So many variables in next 10 months though. Fascinating moment.
Hi, Kenny. I like this new format. About ten minutes is the ideal length (for me) with some helpful setting of context before exploring the key proposition. I think this will sit nicely with your other written pieces. Who knows, you may well attract some new hero listeners to sit alongside your already hero readers.
As for the proposition, I reckon Scottish Labour has much to do and very little room for significant manoeuvre. Until they come up with a vision/ policy programme that is more identifiably for Scotland but unencumbered with the Westminster tag that the opposition constantly play, then ex Labour supporters may well ask how different it really is. Is it worth the move back? Perhaps something bolder such as you hinted at like parking your tanks in the SNP front lawn and accepting that a move towards independence isn’t out of the question will challenge the SNP custodianship of the idea that they are the only true champions of that idea and make folk focus on the quality of governance where in my view SNP are very vulnerable. In the end however, as someone noted Labour’s cherished belief in internal dissent ( eg Welfare) may well stop this ever seeing the light of day far less getting of the ground. One thing is certain, what Scotland has experienced over the best part of two decades has failed the nation.
Sarwar is certainly making a lot of statements about his desire to act in the best interests of Scotland and consequently attract the hero voters who have drifted to the SNP in recent years. The time will come soon when his ambitions for Scotland will have to be set out in the manifesto for 2026. Until I read that document I will keep an open mind.
Hi Kenny. I liked the format. As others have said it’s about the right length and focuses the mind.
While the dangers of Farage and Reform need to be highlighted, I agree with you about who the hero voters should be. These, as you say, are not the blood and soil nationalists who crave independence as an ideological right and freedom from England. They are those who feel let down by recent U.K. governments. I’m not sure, though, that some kind of hint of support for independence would be the way to go. I don’t think that would be very honest since they campaigned against, and for good reason, in 2014. I think much depends on how things go at a U.K. level over the coming months and how effectively Labour in general, and Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour in particular can communicate all the good things that have been achieved. Not least in that is the large increase in funding to the Scottish Government.
Thanks Gerry. Totally agree that how the UK govt is seen in nine months will be crucial. And how Sarwar sells it, as you say. On your other point, I guess my argument rests on making a distinction between independence per se and a politics that recognises independence as a legitimate goal, and hence one that requires a constitutional remedy. But I accept that is not enough of a distinction for a great many people!
A really interesting topic, Kenny, and I think the better for being the spoken word. At least for me! Hearing the argument rather than reading it meant that I didn't get distracted by the voices in my head trying to wrestle with reading as well as interpreting and pondering and was therefore more engaged with the reasoning and development of your thesis. Mabe that's just me of course!
As for the thesis itself, I do agree with you that the hero voters in Scotland are not the Reform, Nigel Farage supporters, but the SNP long time 'defectors'. As for whether Annas Sarwar has the courage to target this group, I think he does, but may perhaps be restrained or distracted by the main Labour Party in Westminster fearing Reform and Farage more.
There is also the question of whether Scottish Labour MSP's ( I should perhaps say prospective MSP's )will be solidly behind Sarwar and and truly believe it as a strategy for winning.
You've argued the case before for a legislative process to manage Independence, which I think would be a strong basis for Sarwar to target the hero voter base, but would they trust him to deliver given the evidence/feeling that Labour is not delivering the change it promised in Westminster - although it's clearly very early days yet!
Thanks Charlie, that's most useful. You make a good point on whether Sarwar's own parliamentary candidates would have his back if he did this. Tbh that's not something I had considered. But it's certainly a factor that needs taken into account. I will ponder.
Definitely worth doing, I enjoyed listening to your thoughts rather than reading them for a change.
I wasn’t aware of the term “hero voter” before and according to your thesis I should be one of targets of Labour under this description. At best I would feel patronised but I think I’d be insulted if a Labour canvasser used the term to me. He would get at least an earful and may qualify for a “dab in the pus” as we would say in Dundee 🤣.
Labour have let me down for too long to expect my vote now. I voted for them from 1974 for 30 odd years but no more, they are LINO for me now.
Certainly a lot of food for thought as usual Kenny - thanks.
Thanks Ron. Definitely a long shot for Labour, given that so many voters share your view. So many variables in next 10 months though. Fascinating moment.
Hi, Kenny. I like this new format. About ten minutes is the ideal length (for me) with some helpful setting of context before exploring the key proposition. I think this will sit nicely with your other written pieces. Who knows, you may well attract some new hero listeners to sit alongside your already hero readers.
As for the proposition, I reckon Scottish Labour has much to do and very little room for significant manoeuvre. Until they come up with a vision/ policy programme that is more identifiably for Scotland but unencumbered with the Westminster tag that the opposition constantly play, then ex Labour supporters may well ask how different it really is. Is it worth the move back? Perhaps something bolder such as you hinted at like parking your tanks in the SNP front lawn and accepting that a move towards independence isn’t out of the question will challenge the SNP custodianship of the idea that they are the only true champions of that idea and make folk focus on the quality of governance where in my view SNP are very vulnerable. In the end however, as someone noted Labour’s cherished belief in internal dissent ( eg Welfare) may well stop this ever seeing the light of day far less getting of the ground. One thing is certain, what Scotland has experienced over the best part of two decades has failed the nation.
Excellent reply! Much wisdom there. Thanks David.
Sarwar is certainly making a lot of statements about his desire to act in the best interests of Scotland and consequently attract the hero voters who have drifted to the SNP in recent years. The time will come soon when his ambitions for Scotland will have to be set out in the manifesto for 2026. Until I read that document I will keep an open mind.
Yes, there's a lot resting on whether or not he will be bold.
Hi Kenny. I liked the format. As others have said it’s about the right length and focuses the mind.
While the dangers of Farage and Reform need to be highlighted, I agree with you about who the hero voters should be. These, as you say, are not the blood and soil nationalists who crave independence as an ideological right and freedom from England. They are those who feel let down by recent U.K. governments. I’m not sure, though, that some kind of hint of support for independence would be the way to go. I don’t think that would be very honest since they campaigned against, and for good reason, in 2014. I think much depends on how things go at a U.K. level over the coming months and how effectively Labour in general, and Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour in particular can communicate all the good things that have been achieved. Not least in that is the large increase in funding to the Scottish Government.
Thanks Gerry. Totally agree that how the UK govt is seen in nine months will be crucial. And how Sarwar sells it, as you say. On your other point, I guess my argument rests on making a distinction between independence per se and a politics that recognises independence as a legitimate goal, and hence one that requires a constitutional remedy. But I accept that is not enough of a distinction for a great many people!