Jack McConnell resigns

TonyHannon Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 04:21:08 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Former first minister Jack McConnell has announced his immediate resignation as Scottish Labour leader. The 47-year-old, who will stay on as MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, is to become the next British High Commissioner to Malawi.
McConnell quits Labour leadership It's on BBC and Reuters.

How do we think this will shape things in Scotland?





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Jack McConnell resigns | 22 comments (22 topical)

Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#1)

by Lorin on Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 04:33:18 PM GMT

Wow, can't say i'm jack's biggest fan but still.

Will there be a leadership election?

If there is I sure hope Foulkes doesn't become the leader.

Is there anyone here from Scotland who can give us some more info about the leadership?


Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#2)

by jkitleft on Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 04:41:01 PM GMT

I'm sure it will be Wendy Alexander


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#5)

by Andrea on Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 06:38:22 PM GMT

Curran has ruled herself out and she will back Wendy.
Kerr also said he won't stand


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#3)

by grimupnorth on Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 05:54:16 PM GMT

Elaine Smith  4 Leader!


Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#8)

by Andrea on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 08:33:32 AM GMT

Do you know who are the members of The Campaign for Socialism group?
Elaine Smith, I think one of the regional list MSPs, who are the others?

The Campaign for Socialism group will soon meet to decide if they will field a candidate or not. If they do, they would require 6 nominations among MSPs


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#11)

by Andrea on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 10:26:06 AM GMT

replying to myself, today's Scotsman says that Campaign for Socialism has 5 MSPs.


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#4)

by Andrea on Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 06:28:12 PM GMT

I think Labour has well adapted to opposition role yet at Holyrood. IMO McConnell's resignations were needed as a first step towards a fresh start for Scottish Labour.

I think the party can benefit from a leadership contest if seen not as a battle of personalities but as a way to find out the challenges that the party now face from SNP and Salmond and the best way to overcome them


Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#6)

by MM on Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 07:12:53 PM GMT

We do'nt do leadership elections anymore.


Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#7)

by NorthernMonkey on Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 07:32:59 PM GMT

McConnell was pretty poor in my view - I'm glad he's going.


I'm sure Wendy (sister of Douglas) Alexander will get the job. Let's hope she has the personality and backbone to really tackle smug Salmond and his 'independence by stealth' agenda.


Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#9)

by swatantra on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 09:18:25 AM GMT

People in the diplomatic service are not at all pleased. Yet another politician posted off to a cushy job as Ambassador. By the way what ever happened to Paul Boateng?


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#10)

by TonyHannon on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 10:14:49 AM GMT

First - inexperience told - I didn't post that correctly, it was supoosed to link to the BBC story. Apologies.

I think one has to be in Scotland to get a feel for what would make a good leader in opposition there. These people get a pretty small amount of coverage and attention in England.


Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#12)

by grimupnorth on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 11:14:19 AM GMT

The Campaign  for Socialism  meet this weekend. I hope they nominate Elaine Smith and  I hope she gets  the backing of 6 MSPs. Another  coronation is NOT a  good idea. Go for it, Elaine!


Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#13)

by Andrea on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 12:01:14 PM GMT

Today's Scotsman was suggesting Bill Butler MSP as their potential contender. I don't know much of him though


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#14)

by swatantra on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 12:24:04 PM GMT

Its not going to matter. The Scots Nats are riding the crest of a wave! Even arch Tory newspapers detect a note of renewed enthusiasm and vitality in the air. And its not just the Edinburgh Festival. Things are getting done that are pleasing the Scottish electorate. You could put it down to the Salmond bounce, in his first 100 days. After 50 years of continuous rule the Scottish LP is bankrupt of ideas. It needs a complete rethink of what it is all about and must no longer take power for granted. 


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#15)

by NorthernMonkey on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 01:36:45 PM GMT

Absolutely. Scottish Labour does need radical reforms and needs to stop having such an old-fashioned mentality.


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#16)

by Kerron on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 05:04:10 PM GMT

Yep, Wendy Alexander should get it - I'm pleased to say. Exactly what the party needs up there at the moment - we need to get properly stuck into Salmond.


Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#17)

by grimupnorth on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 06:06:24 PM GMT

Which is why  it should  be a socialist  like Elaine Smith, not another of Brown's  henchpeople.The SNP  are  14 points ahead  of labour......more of same  won't  do it.


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#18)

by Andrea on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 06:17:37 PM GMT

I wouldn't particularly trust that poll considering the pollster. SNP is doing well and they're enjoying their bounce, but I would be very surprised if they're at 48. And Con and LDs are reduced to just 8%.

Btw, Elaine Smith said she won't stand.


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#19)

by grimupnorth on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 08:18:13 PM GMT

Really?  That's a  real shame.....


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#20)

by grimupnorth on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 08:20:43 PM GMT

And  not what  it says  in  PA......

Labour MSP Elaine Smith said she wanted someone to stand against Paisley North MSP Ms Alexander as she believed a contest would be good for the party.

The MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, said: "We do need a challenge within the party, I don't think the Labour Party sits well with coronations, that's my personal feeling."

Ms Smith and other members of the Campaign for Socialism - which includes MSPs Bill Butler, Marlyn Glen, Cathy Peattie and Patricia Ferguson - will meet in Glasgow on Sunday.

Ms Smith said: "It would be up to the meeting to decide if a challenge should be mounted, and we would then have to consider who the candidate should be.

"But I think it would be healthy for the party to have that challenge."



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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#21)

by Andrea on Thu Aug 16, 2007 at 08:27:45 PM GMT

"And  not what  it says  in  PA"

I can't see anything in the piece you report about her standing.


"Convener Elaine Smith said: "It would be good to have a challenge and not a coronation. I don't think it's healthy for the candidate not to have one. There is much more legitimacy if the members can engage."
Ms Smith has said she will not stand herself, leaving Glasgow MSP Bill Butler as the most likely choice if the group decides to field a candidate"

http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1297082007


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Re: Jack McConnell resigns (#22)

by MacArthur on Fri Aug 17, 2007 at 04:48:56 PM GMT

McConnell did an okay job but it has been largely forgotten as Salmond cynically exploited Iraq and cash for honours.


His big mistake was in the length of time he took to join the campaign battle.   By the time he did it was over, although Scottish Labour did well to come back to lose by only 1 seat when a hammering was widely predicted.


It's often forgotten that a significant number of those who voted SNP on May 3 have no wish to see Scotland leave Britain, ironic really as Salmond embarks on his latest instalment of Operation Separation Creep.


I am in no doubt that Wendy Alexander will be installed as Scottish Labour's first woman leader.   That she may do so unopposed is because no one is prepared to face her.   My preference would be for a lefty to come forward and challenge her, but they are thinner on the ground than supporters of independence!!


I'm not too sure if she is the kind of leader we need.  She's too, how can I say intellectual.   We need someone who can mix it with the media-savvy Salmond.   I haven't seen anything in her make up to suggest she can do that.   I think I would prefer Tom McCabe.







Jack McConnell resigns | 22 comments (22 topical)