The Flag in the Wind
A weekly online newspaper bringing you information on the political scene in Scotland: part of the monthly Scots Independent.

Home | About Us | Subscriptions | Archives | SNP | Ad Rates | Features | Adverts | Events | Links

Lots of great information to read and enjoy under our Features Section:
Scots Language | Scottish Food | Dates in History | Scot Wit and lots more!

We have a first for the Flag this week; James Halliday, doyen Nationalist, historian and a former Chairman of the SNP, is giving us his thoughts on the "challenge" to the leadership. While we have printed articles by James Halliday before, they have always been stolen from the Scots Independent newspaper; this is one for the Flag - and may be stolen by the Scots Independent!

Note from Alastair:  And just to prove they were at the SNP conference I captured some of them on film... and if you'd like to see a few more pictures check my 24th September diary page.

Peter D Wright with John Swinney and Paul Scott and on right Kenneth & Margery Fee

A story is now widespread to the effect that John Swinney is the first ever SNP leader to be opposed for re-election. Not quite correct, as the Sunday Post pointed out. Unfortunately the Post's correction was not wholly correct either.

Sometimes a party leader gets tired of his obligations and makes way for a successor. Sometimes a party grows tired of its leader and the old "time for a change" cry goes up from the membership, That cry of course is often encouraged by ambitious and impatient persons who want a shot of power-wielding and decision-making, and the boost to self-esteem which goes with the job. Sometimes a person in office is identified with a strategy which has failed to bring success, and so does the decent thing and stands down.

How does our party's experience fit those suggested models? When the war ended in 1945, the party chairman was Douglas Young. His tenure ended when he rejected the new rules banning dual membership, and defected from the party altogether. His successor, Bruce Watson, therefore became chairman following a vacancy, not a contest. Bruce in turn stepped down voluntarily to be succeeded by Robert McIntyre who was the essential key figure in the party in those years.

Because the years were so difficult and success so remote, discontent grew, and by 1955 a challenger at the head of a whole slate of candidates for the various offices appeared. Though the challenge failed at Conference, it had been an experience which Robert did not wish to see repeated. He knew that the opposition had become highly personalised and so he and his colleagues sought a replacement. As the only other candidate at the 1955 General Election , I seemed to them an acceptable replacement, and so it came about in 1956.

In 1960 I declined nomination, telling the conference that I was retiring because I felt it was time for a change, and that I was going before too many of them agreed with me. So I retired aged 33, a fact which caused some later confusion, but that is another story.

Arthur Donaldson in 1960 was on the verge of retirement and thus able to travel more freely from his Forfar home to other parts of Scotland. At the time what the party most needed was an evangelising campaign to carry our arguments to an ever-widening audience. I would have welcomed the role but was in full-time employment and couldn't take on the job. Arthur could and did it magnificently. During his years in office the party grew out of all recognition, the success reaching its peak with Winnie Ewing's victory in Hamilton in 1967.

In spite of the successes, by the end of the decade there were murmurings about change, and an intrigue spread quietly throughout the party, allowing pockets of opposition to reveal themselves. One such group surfaced in Dundee, becoming quite a thorn in the party's flesh while enjoying some furtive backing from some fairly powerful persons in the party's structure. The restlessness revealed itself with the nomination of Douglas Drysdale to contest the Chairmanship. He had been, with Billy Wolfe, one of the men most effective in enhancing the party's powers in organisation and finance, but he was defeated in the Conference vote.

In the following year it came to be fairly widely believed that Arthur intended to retire, and that Billy Wolfe would succeed him. Those who wished, for whatever reason, to hasten the change took advantage of an unfortunate event to which the Sunday Post recently made reference. The ringleader of the plotting in Dundee ---a man with a natural talent for provocation---turned up at a meeting in Fife at which Arthur was speaking; and with some derisive and provocative remarks goaded him into a technical assault. He did not "punch" him as in the Sunday Post's story; the blow was more symbolic than damaging. The victim was not "a party member" by that time, but such people as wanted to make changes now had an argument to hand. After some confusion as to whether Arthur would stand for re-election, he did so and was defeated by Mr. Wolfe. His decade in office has since become a favoured term of office for our Chairmen/Conveners.

As Arthur Donaldson had done through the 60s, Billy Wolfe led to further successes in the 70s, particularly in the two General Elections of 1974. By 1979 the long-drawn-out parliamentary swindling over devolution had taken its toll. The public had become bored and irritable and the party had obviously plummeted from its peak of popularity to be savagely weakened in the General Election of 1979.

The defeat prompted Billy Wolfe's retiral and Gordon Wilson's election. It was Gordon's misfortune that the 80s saw no nationwide rise in the party's popularity, and his skills were fully required to preserve the party's Parliamentary presence while bringing it through the most severe internal crisis which it has experienced. By the end of the decade he was ready to hand over the Convenership. Two candidates contested the vacancy, and Alex Salmond became National Convener.

In similar style Alex retired, leaving two candidates to succeed him, and John Swinney took office.

While there were only two open challenges in all these years, contests were on occasion avoided because the incumbent retired voluntarily. Thus there is nothing especially shocking in seeing John Swinney opposed. It is unusual perhaps, and a sign of our recurring enjoyment of intrigue, but that's all.

John Swinney being interviewed by Grampian Television

It is the first seat Labour has lost in a by election since Tony Blair became leader of the party, and it was one of Labour’s safest seats. In 2001 Labour had 18325, Tories 5278 and Liberals 3065; This time the Liberals had 8158, Labour 7040 and the Tories 3368. The Guardian said that there had not been any serious challenge to Labour since Blair came top power; Andrew J T Kerr, that indefatigable political watcher, has pointed out that in September 1999, still in New Labour’s honeymoon period, Annabelle Ewing of the SNP reduced the Labour majority in Hamilton South from 15878 to 556. Brent East difference of 15260 between Labour and the Liberals in 2001 (Tories were second then) and Hamilton difference of 15322 between Labour and the SNP; in the latter contest the Hamilton Accies candidate got more votes than the Liberals!

That by election was caused by the elevation to the peerage of George (now Lord) Robertson, and the Labour Party very sneakily staged it on the Thursday of the week of the SNP Conference in Inverness thus stymying the main challengers; who knows what might have happened if the SNP had been able to put all of its campaigning weight into the fight right up to the end? Lord Robertson’s stint as NATO Secretary General is now almost over and he is off to become a non-executive director of various companies, one of which is Cable & Wireless, which happens to have lost £6.5 billion last year; we are not quite sure how Lord Robertson will help turn them around.

We just like to set the records straight.

FOOT IN THE MOUTH NOTES

Their deathbed conversion is touching.

In a letter to the Herald, a correspondent was a bit critical of the National Trust for Scotland’s staged re-enactment of the Battle of Bannockburn at Stirling; apparently the event was really well-organised, but slightly marred as the commentator was English. The chap’s very clear diction was somewhat marred when he said "However, here in England....."

In this very politically correct world, in next year’s re-enactment we expect the English will win.

I specify "English media" correctly; in the Scottish media, the cost of the new Scottish Parliament building for which Mr Wallace is responsible has been getting multiple column inches. Wonder if he claimed credit for that?

With all the fuss of the Hutton Inquiry, the focus is very much on the role of the spin doctors; I came across a new word for them this week.

An article in the Observer referred to them as spinsters.

Jeffrey Archer, soon not to be a lord, said at a meeting of the Howard League for Penal Reform that illiterate prisoners should not get early release until they could read and write; they would have to pass a test.

If it was to be a lie detector test, say, Jeffrey Archer would never be released.

Peter Hain. leader of the House of Commons, speaking of the proposed removal of hereditary peers from the House of Lords, said "We were elected on a platform of making sure that the hereditary peers were replaced by a much more democratic system of appointment and of having a proper appointment procedure rather than it being decided, effectively, by politicians."

Hereditary peers owed their initial appointment to an unelected Monarch; peers will now be appointed by a committee appointed by the Prime Minister. No chance of the great unwashed getting anywhere near either the committee or the House of Lords.

BEAVERING AWAY

SNP MEPS DEMAND ANSWERS ON EUROSTAT FRAUD CASE
Tue 23 Sep 03

SNP MEPs Professor Sir Neil MacCormick and Mr Ian Hudghton are demanding answers and an end to the secrecy surrounding a top level European investigation into allegations of fraud at Eurostat - the European Commission's statistical bureau.

Professor Sir MacCormick and Mr Hudghton have criticised the secrecy surrounding a meeting scheduled for Thursday where European Commission President Romano Prodi is expected to present findings of the Commission's internal inquiry into the Eurostat case to MEPs and they have put forward a series of detailed questions to be raised at Thursday's crucial meeting.

Professor Sir Neil MacCormick said:

"When Romano Prodi took office as the new President of the European Commission he promised a zero tolerance policy towards fraud. The decision to hold this meeting behind closed doors runs contrary to the spirit of that promise and does not auger well.

"European citizens deserve answers to a whole host of searching questions on this matter and we have submitted a set of detailed questions that should be raised at Thursday's meeting.

"This level of secrecy is utterly unacceptable and does nothing to improve the image of the European Commission or its reputation in dealing with serious accusations of fraud."

Commenting later Mr Hudghton said:

"European citizens have a right to be kept informed of developments in this extremely important case and to know exactly what steps Prodi and the Commission intend to take to deal with the situation. 

"The secrecy surrounding Thursday's meeting is not a good sign. When the new Commission was appointed we anticipated a new culture of openness and transparency.

"We are demanding answers on behalf of taxpayers in Scotland and across the EU."

NETWORK RAIL CUTS 5 BILLION OFF MAINTENANCE BUDGET
Tue 23 Sep 03

SCOTLAND HAS BEEN SHORT CHANGED AGAIN - MACASKILL

Shadow Transport Minister Mr Kenny MacAskill MSP has today (Tuesday) slated Network Rail's plans to cut 5 billion pounds from its maintenance budget by slashing investment on rural lines, which would include a large proportion of Scotland's rail network. Mr MacAskill said;

"These cuts by Network Rail will force Scotland to be on a second class ticket on a branch line to nowhere.

"Many of our rail services are classed as rural lines, yet provide vital links. These cuts could compromise safety and efficiency for our trains and passengers.

"One again, Scotland has been short changed and this cannot be allowed to continue.

"The best thing for Scotland is to take control of our own rail network, only then can we ensure that improvements are made and money which is promised to build the Scottish network will be delivered."

HOLYROOD HITS OVER 400 MILLION POUNDS
Mon 22 Sep 03

EXECUTIVE AND WESTMINSTER MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY - EWING

Following the revelations today (Monday) that the cost of the Holyrood project has broken through the 400 million pound barrier Shadow Finance Minister Mr Fergus Ewing MSP has called on the Scottish Executive and the Labour Government at Westminster to take responsibility for this fiasco. Mr Ewing said;

"The reason that the costs are out of control is because the wrong type of contracts were drawn up for the building's construction in the first place.

"The design has been worked out as they have gone along and the additional costs are a direct result of the decision made by Labour in London pre-devolution, which was then rubber stamped by the Lib/Lab Executive in 1999

"There is an extremely strong case for Westminster to fork out for all of the extra costs which resulted from their decision. If they refuse on the grounds that the Scottish Parliament approved the project, they are wrong - it was the sole responsibility of the Lib/Lab MSPs who voted it through on party lines on the 17 June 1999.

"This fiasco is a Labour one, supported by their backing group the Scottish branch of the Lib Dems.

"I suspect that there will be more rises to come and it's about time that the Government both in Scotland and at Westminster took responsibility for this farce which is of their own making."

AIRPORT PFI RIP OFF - SNP CALL FOR INVESTIGATION
Mon 22 Sep 03

INVERNESS AIRPORT TO COST AT LEAST 4 TIMES ORIGINAL PRICE

At a press conference in Inverness today (Monday) Shadow Transport Minister Mr Kenny MacAskill MSP produced a paper on the cost implications of the Inverness Airport Terminal PFI and called for both an investigation by the Auditor General and action by the Executive.

The paper discloses that a terminal that would have cost 9.6 million pounds to build by normal capital will, in reality cost around 35 million pounds. Mr MacAskill said;

"This PFI rip off is the Skye Bridge Mark II. A building that would only have cost 9.6 million pounds to build by paying up front has already cost us nearly 5 million pounds after only 4 years and we still have 21 years of payments to make. At very minimum without even an increase in passenger numbers the building will cost over 35 million pounds, four times the original price.

"This is grounding the expansion of the airport and the take off of aviation in the Highlands. It's another example of the PFI rip off that the Highlands are already paying too dearly for.

"I am therefore calling for an investigation by the Auditor General into this scheme. Public money is being wasted. Money that's badly needed elsewhere is going to the City Fat Cats.

"We need to know why this was chosen and who benefits because it's not the City of Inverness or the people of the Highlands.

"However, although it was a Tory administration that got us into this mess it's a Lib/Lab administration that is now in charge and has been for years. It's time for them to act and resolve this scandalous waste of public money."

MCCONNELL GETS ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR CHARGES DROPPED
Sun 21 Sep 03

NOTHING MORE THAN 'HEADLINE GRABBING' BY FIRST MINISTER

Shadow Justice Minister Ms Nicola Sturgeon MSP has today (Sunday) accused Jack McConnell of doing little more than 'headline grabbing' on justice issues, following reports that he wrote a letter to police to get charges against two men dropped after they had allegedly terrorised a nurse on a hospital ward. Ms Sturgeon said;

"Jack McConnell said that he would take tough action against the small minority of young people who terrorise local communities in Scotland. He also said that he would do more to protect NHS staff. He has done neither.

"This is a clear case of headline grabbing from the First Minister. He is telling the public what they want to hear but is doing nothing to stop the problems caused by a minority of people that plague local areas across the country.

"What Jack McConnell has done runs counter to his so-called commitment to cracking down on anti-social behaviour in Scotland, and it's about time that he matched his rhetoric with action.

HOME OFFICE PLANS TO EXPAND DUNGAVEL
Sun 21 Sep 03

SLAP IN THE FACE FOR SCOTTISH PUBLIC - FABIANI

SNP MSP for Central Scotland Ms Linda Fabiani has today (Sunday) condemned the application by the Home Office to expand Dungavel so that more asylum seekers can be detained there.

The application for expansion consists of two sets of plans for a further 44 places, made up of ready to use units with bars on the windows and doors. Ms Fabiani said;

"These plans are a slap in the face for the democratic will of the people of Scotland. There is a clear consensus across our country that children should not be imprisoned in Dungavel and it is time that the Government at Westminster realised this.

"We have forced the Labour Executive to break their silence and they have said that they are now meeting with the Home Office to sort out the detention system.

"The question is whether the Executive have any idea about these proposed plans. If they do then they are hiding from the people of Scotland, and if they don't they have been kept in the dark by the Home Office.

"The Westminster Government has no intention of listening to the Scottish people, and we will only be able to put a stop to the Dungavel scandal when we take control of asylum for ourselves."

WINDOWS SCREENSAVER

Download our Windows Screensaver here!

SCOT WIT
Enjoy a Scottish Joke every week and listen to it as well