Scottish Labour

[Kurt]

Seem to be taking a similar policy line to English\UK Labour. Given the lack of distinctive Scottish policy perspectives led to the demise of the Tories in Scotland, I can see this harming their prospects. As Scottish Labour seats are always critical to a UK Labour government this could have an impact in 2015. Independence votes notwithstanding.

BBC News - Labours Johann Lamont claims SNP fails on equality

 

[SKII]

Seem to be taking a similar policy line to English\UK Labour. Given the lack of distinctive Scottish policy perspectives led to the demise of the Tories in Scotland, I can see this harming their prospects. As Scottish Labour seats are always critical to a UK Labour government this could have an impact in 2015. Independence votes notwithstanding.

BBC News - Labours Johann Lamont claims SNP fails on equality

Just looking at the most recent 3 Labour governments - out of interest - without Scotland, Labour would still have won in 1997 (with a majority of 139, down from 179), in 2001 (129, down from 167) and in 2005 (43, down from 66)

 

[Kurt]

Just looking at the most recent 3 Labour governments - out of interest - without Scotland, Labour would still have won in 1997 (with a majority of 139, down from 179), in 2001 (129, down from 167) and in 2005 (43, down from 66)

Interesting stats.

these were the 3 Blairite landslides. I doubt the current Labour stance would get anywhere close to that. Do you have figures for the other Governments - including the Tory ones and the 2010 election?

 

[Smurf]

Interesting stats.

these were the 3 Blairite landslides. I doubt the current Labour stance would get anywhere close to that. Do you have figures for the other Governments - including the Tory ones and the 2010 election?

Hardly a Blairite landslide in 2005 on a very small % of the vote...

On the OP I just don't get how you can say Scottish Labour is following UK Labour. It is the same party! However, there are lots of differences relating to areas devolved. We hear this London Labour stuff all the time. IMHO it is lazy.

 

[aggie]

Hardly a Blairite landslide in 2005 on a very small % of the vote...

On the OP I just don't get how you can say Scottish Labour is following UK Labour. It is the same party! However, there are lots of differences relating to areas devolved. We hear this London Labour stuff all the time. IMHO it is lazy.

What did you make of the Johann Lamont interview I posted? Particularly her irrational attempts to square specifically Scottish housing benefit policy with UK Universal Credit plans?

I'm sorry, but if Labour really wants to BE Labour up here, in terms of the Scottish understanding of that word, then it needs to break the ties with UK Labour.

I've said it before: it's just time. If we are going to have a mature relationship with Westminster and the UK, then we need to be able to act freely in EVERY area of policy. More devolution is just a nonsense, because it doesn't address that fundamental issue.