Strength in depth

[BroxburnHibee]

Was gonna put this in the virus thread but then thought might be better in its own thread.

I read this comment regarding the Scottish Government quite a lot so I was wondering if and when Nicola decides enough is enough who might be next.

I'm happy with Nicola at the moment. She's not perfect by any stretch but when I look at the ****show down south I'm more than thankful.

It may be though that this will have taken a lot out of her and if and when we get back to some form of normality she might decide its time to pass it on. So who else might be ready to lead as right now I cant see any other party winning in Scotland at the moment?

Blackford? Cherry? Robertson? Swinney?

They'd all fancy the gig I'd imagine.

Anyone else?

[Berwickhibby]

Was gonna put this in the virus thread but then thought might be better in its own thread.

I read this comment regarding the Scottish Government quite a lot so I was wondering if and when Nicola decides enough is enough who might be next.

I'm happy with Nicola at the moment. She's not perfect by any stretch but when I look at the ****show down south I'm more than thankful.

It may be though that this will have taken a lot out of her and if and when we get back to some form of normality she might decide its time to pass it on. So who else might be ready to lead as right now I cant see any other party winning in Scotland at the moment?

Blackford? Cherry? Robertson? Swinney?

They'd all fancy the gig I'd imagine.

Anyone else?

I fully admit I am no supporter of the SNP but I have always admired Angus Robertson, he has a statesman like manner and speaks well and has a dignified manner.

[Pretty Boy]

Unity within the SNP is something that intrigues me. When I read the views of much of their supporters it often strikes me that there is one key aim that really holds together a pretty disparate bunch. I see people who are inherently socially conservative and arguably on the centre right of the spectrum who proudly display their SNP credentials, equally I see an increasing 'woke' movement who see the SNP as a socially progressive party. There must be friction, as there is within every party.

I have made the point before that the SNP are in an enviably strong electoral position at the moment. They are probably closer to their ultimate goal than they have ever been, it's within touching distance. Whilst that is the case there is unlikely to be a mass exodus of voters. Parties live or die electorally when their core support hold them to account; the collapse of Labour in Scotland and swathes of the north of England is testament to that. For as long as independence remains tangibly close there is a core of voters who, by their own admission, will continue to vote SNP regardless of their other policies or performance in other areas. That's not a criticism as such, more an observation.

I was a convert to the Yes cause and have viewed myself as a displaced Labour voter who has voted SNP as a means to an end in recent years. With an electable Labour Party I could be swayed back quite easily. As such I can't say I know a huge amount about the big players behind the scenes within the SNP, I could probably name 6 or 7 MPs and MSPs off the top of my head and a couple more if I really thought about it. I'm intrigued to see how things play out over the next few years and what happens as and when Nicola Sturgeonmoves on and/or if independence remains tantalisingly just out of reach.

[stantonhibby]

Was gonna put this in the virus thread but then thought might be better in its own thread.

I read this comment regarding the Scottish Government quite a lot so I was wondering if and when Nicola decides enough is enough who might be next.

I'm happy with Nicola at the moment. She's not perfect by any stretch but when I look at the ****show down south I'm more than thankful.

It may be though that this will have taken a lot out of her and if and when we get back to some form of normality she might decide its time to pass it on. So who else might be ready to lead as right now I cant see any other party winning in Scotland at the moment?

Blackford? Cherry? Robertson? Swinney?

They'd all fancy the gig I'd imagine.

Anyone else?


Kate Forbes?

[Bangkok Hibby]

Was gonna put this in the virus thread but then thought might be better in its own thread.

I read this comment regarding the Scottish Government quite a lot so I was wondering if and when Nicola decides enough is enough who might be next.

I'm happy with Nicola at the moment. She's not perfect by any stretch but when I look at the ****show down south I'm more than thankful.

It may be though that this will have taken a lot out of her and if and when we get back to some form of normality she might decide its time to pass it on. So who else might be ready to lead as right now I cant see any other party winning in Scotland at the moment?

Blackford? Cherry? Robertson? Swinney?

They'd all fancy the gig I'd imagine.

Anyone else?

I've said as much on twitter recently. I think the personal battering she's taking and the undoubted stress she'll be experiencing during this pandemic will see her step down once it's over. She has a sense of duty and commitment to her country unmatched by other front line politicians and will be a massive loss. Whoever steps into her shoes had better be prepared for a full on onslaught of lies and attacks by all and sundry who are opposed to Scottish Independence. Personally I feel we've had our chance. When the main stream media turns it's guns on you it's a fight not many win. Hopefully the Scottish public can show they're not so gullible and easily moulded as our ever more right wing neighbours seem to be. Voting Intention: Con 50%, Lab 30% (5-6 May)In:Political Trackers (https://yougov.co.uk/topics/political-trackers)Politics & current affairs (https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics)

May 07, 2020, 9:46 AM
Joanna Cherry looks like she wants it. Might be as good as any.

[BroxburnHibee]

Unity within the SNP is something that intrigues me. When I read the disparate views of much of their supporters it often strikes me that there is one key aim that really holds together a pretty disparate bunch. I see people who are inherently socially conservative and arguably on the centre right of the spectrum who proudly display their SNP credentials, equally I see an increasing 'woke' movement who see the SNP as a socially progressive party. There must be friction, as there is within every party.

I have made the point before that the SNP are in an enviably strong electoral position at the moment. They are probably closer to their ultimate goal than they have ever been, it's within touching distance. Whilst that is the case there is unlikely to be a mass exodus of voters. Parties live or die electorally when their core support hold them to account; the collapse of Labour in Scotland and swathes of the north of England is testament to that. For as long as independence remains tangibly close there is a core of voters who, by their own admission, will continue to vote SNP regardless of their other policies or performance in other areas. That's not a criticism as such, more an observation.

I was a convert to the Yes cause and have viewed myself as a displaced Labour voter who has voted SNP as a means to an end in recent years. With an electable Labour Party I could be swayed back quite easily. As such I can't say I know a huge amount about the big players behind the scenes within the SNP, I could probably name 6 or 7 MPs and MSPs off the top of my head and a couple more if I really thought about it. I'm intrigued to see how things play out over the next few years and what happens as and when Nicola Sturgeonmoves on and/or if independence remains tantalisingly just out of reach.

Pretty much where I am. I voted Labour all my adult life but have always believed we should be independent from Westminster.

If Labour changed their position on Scotland I'd probably switch back but that doesn't look likely any time soon.

I think a lot of the SNP support right now are people just like me.

The strange thing is in an independent Scotland, Labour and the Tories would probably do a whole lot better in elections.

[marinello59]

Unity within the SNP is something that intrigues me. When I read the disparate views of much of their supporters it often strikes me that there is one key aim that really holds together a pretty disparate bunch. I see people who are inherently socially conservative and arguably on the centre right of the spectrum who proudly display their SNP credentials, equally I see an increasing 'woke' movement who see the SNP as a socially progressive party. There must be friction, as there is within every party.

I have made the point before that the SNP are in an enviably strong electoral position at the moment. They are probably closer to their ultimate goal than they have ever been, it's within touching distance. Whilst that is the case there is unlikely to be a mass exodus of voters. Parties live or die electorally when their core support hold them to account; the collapse of Labour in Scotland and swathes of the north of England is testament to that. For as long as independence remains tangibly close there is a core of voters who, by their own admission, will continue to vote SNP regardless of their other policies or performance in other areas. That's not a criticism as such, more an observation.

I was a convert to the Yes cause and have viewed myself as a displaced Labour voter who has voted SNP as a means to an end in recent years. With an electable Labour Party I could be swayed back quite easily. As such I can't say I know a huge amount about the big players behind the scenes within the SNP, I could probably name 6 or 7 MPs and MSPs off the top of my head and a couple more if I really thought about it. I'm intrigued to see how things play out over the next few years and what happens as and when Nicola Sturgeonmoves on and/or if independence remains tantalisingly just out of reach.

I think it's the friction within the SNP that will decide whether Sturgeon steps down or not and I fully expect to see Cherry emerge as the new leader. The battle lines were being drawn before the pandemic hit us, they will still be there when normal service is resumed. It's certainly going to be interesting watching it all develop, especially when Salmond starts lobbing grenades in from the sidelines.
As for strength in depth I'm not seeing many obvious candidates as new leader outside of Cherry and Robertson.

[JeMeSouviens]

I think it's the friction within the SNP that will decide whether Sturgeon steps down or not and I fully expect to see Cherry emerge as the new leader. The battle lines were being drawn before the pandemic hit us, they will still be there when normal service is resumed. It's certainly going to be interesting watching it all develop, especially when Salmond starts lobbing grenades in from the sidelines.
As for strength in depth I'm not seeing many obvious candidates as new leader outside of Cherry and Robertson.

Who are, of course, about to both go for the Edin Central constituency for Holyrood. Pretty much a proxy succession battle.

I don't know if it's just a twitter thing or has wider resonance, but the whole trans thing and gender recognition threatens to really tear things up. It's been kicked into some fairly long grass but there are very strong feelings on both sides of the argument and somebody really needs to step in and do some serious defusing.

[G B Young]

I'd never vote SNP but I have a lot of respect for Sturgeon. She's in a class of her own in Scottish political terms and I think they'd toil to replace her with anyone who commands anything like as much appeal.

Fact is that for all Holyrood has come on leaps and bounds since the days Billy Connolly described it as "the pretendy wee parliament" we remain quite thin on the ground for impressive politicians. Labour's succession of 'leaders' have been especially hopeless and instantly forgettable. IMHO Ruth Davidson was a beacon of hope for the Tories but under the impossible to warm to Carlaw they'll go absolutely nowhere. Rennie is earnest but little more and Harvie strikes me as a poisonous sort. Under Sturgeon the SNP will continue to sweep up as not only the 'least worst' option for some but because they're the only party with a leader who you could imagine holding their own on a bigger stage.

[Hiber-nation]

The SNP's problem is that Nicola is a mile ahead of anyone else. I used to work in the SG and it's common knowledge that none of the other Ministers are anywhere near her standard. She commands huge respect. Swinney is a safe pair of hands but he performs poorly when pressed, he's a typical politician, avoiding any tricky question by giving the party line. Cherry is not my cup of tea, too much of a loose cannon. Angus Robertson is the only possibility for me. Hopefully we won't be in this position for a while!

[Glory Lurker]

Whenever it is, the leadership contest will be a real pagger. The SNP hasn't had one in years (decades?) so it will be an interesting process. It does open the possibilty ("risk" for me as a drone!) of the latent factionalism mentioned above coming to the surface, although the principle of independence will keep the lion's share of us on board (in the sheep pen :-) ) whatever happens.

I think quite a few names will go in to the hat, as well as Cherry, Robertson and Forbes. Would Kirsty Blackman go for it? I'd like to see Humza Yousaf put himself forward. Doubtless a few others, too.

Importantly though, as it is Sturgeon is going nowhere. Thank Gordon Smith.