I have to hand it to Stephen Flynn, he is a professional spinner who would make even Alastair Campbell blush with embarrassment,
This quote was put to him on the Today programme this morning and he was ready for it with by stating that unlike in Westminster, the Scottish First Minister is elected by the other MSPs not appointed by the biggest party and the King. He was using this as an argument as to why the SNP was right to call for an election when Sunak took over from Truss but we don’t need one in Scotland on our third leader since the last election.
Technically true but the reason that MSPs vote on the first minister formally in Scotland is due to the PR system of elections meaning it is much more likely for there to be a minority government in Scotland. When Salmond had a majority in 2011 he was unopposed as there was no point, he would always win the vote. The First Minister has always come from the party with most seats.
The same is true in Westminster, if there is a hung parliament then only the MP who can get the confidence of the house can become PM so arguing on the process is just smoke and mirrors.
As usual with the SNP it is one rule for them and one for everyone else.
Having watched Sir Keir Starmer flipflop live on air when he said the house should be consulted before military action, then say only if it meant ‘boots on the ground’ (we are an island, yet apparently the air force and navy don’t count) and him being an ex DPP means proving who said what these days is a near forensic exercise.
Honestly who cares. There isn’t a political party in living memory that’s gone for an election when they had the option to nominate a new party leader with a working majority instead. New Labour did it in 2007 with the then so-called coronation of Brown. (And the reason Swinney’s being coronated is because no-one else wants the poisoned chalice.)
But if the Greens want to deliver an election, it’s in their gift. But I don’t think they will, because they would prefer an SNP leader “dancing on a string” as Wings puts it.
The FM is directly elected by the Scottish Parliament, not the party membership.
4 comments
I have to hand it to Stephen Flynn, he is a professional spinner who would make even Alastair Campbell blush with embarrassment,
This quote was put to him on the Today programme this morning and he was ready for it with by stating that unlike in Westminster, the Scottish First Minister is elected by the other MSPs not appointed by the biggest party and the King. He was using this as an argument as to why the SNP was right to call for an election when Sunak took over from Truss but we don’t need one in Scotland on our third leader since the last election.
Technically true but the reason that MSPs vote on the first minister formally in Scotland is due to the PR system of elections meaning it is much more likely for there to be a minority government in Scotland. When Salmond had a majority in 2011 he was unopposed as there was no point, he would always win the vote. The First Minister has always come from the party with most seats.
The same is true in Westminster, if there is a hung parliament then only the MP who can get the confidence of the house can become PM so arguing on the process is just smoke and mirrors.
As usual with the SNP it is one rule for them and one for everyone else.
Having watched Sir Keir Starmer flipflop live on air when he said the house should be consulted before military action, then say only if it meant ‘boots on the ground’ (we are an island, yet apparently the air force and navy don’t count) and him being an ex DPP means proving who said what these days is a near forensic exercise.
Honestly who cares. There isn’t a political party in living memory that’s gone for an election when they had the option to nominate a new party leader with a working majority instead. New Labour did it in 2007 with the then so-called coronation of Brown. (And the reason Swinney’s being coronated is because no-one else wants the poisoned chalice.)
But if the Greens want to deliver an election, it’s in their gift. But I don’t think they will, because they would prefer an SNP leader “dancing on a string” as Wings puts it.
The FM is directly elected by the Scottish Parliament, not the party membership.