Wendy Alexander's donations

[Tom B]

Without taking political sides on this, I have to say that I find it a shocking waste of time, for matters like this to take up so much of the Holyrood's MSPs and committees time - and it's not over yet, I am understanding it correctly that the full parliament has to vote on this in September? - the full parliament - what?! Advice was taken, wrong advice was given, and apologies have been made, so let's move on. Poverty, health, eduction, crime, environment etc - these are the issues I want my MSPs working through. Not helped by the BBC Scotland's journos though, who relish and report every detail, every twist and turn, oh and Wendy's lost her voice today, that's worth reporting on reporting scotland, please don't give the bosses at Pacific Quay a 'Scottish 6.' It's circuses like this that make folk think that holyrood is a waste of time - the process of government needs to change to allow the the focus to be on the things that matter.

Now I know that a lot of good work is being done by many hardworking MSPs, and it isn't their fault that this isn't getting reported, however, for the good of the credibility of the parliament all parties should work together to create processes, and work through them quickly, so that allow matters like this can be dealt with quickly.

[Mary G]

Could not have put it better myself, Tom. Very well said. Priorities, news coverage - the lot. Unedifying.

From what I can see this is now a battle of the lawyers - now, there is a surprise. The Parliament's lawyer is convinced that they got it right. Faced with an MSP asking the same question again, the officials could safely offer the same advice - says the Parliament's legal adviser.

Then along comes the Parliament's own Standards Commissioner. He gets his own legal advice - and what do you know? - it contradicts the other legal advice provided by the Parliament. So, the way I read it no MSP of any party can win. You have the impossible dilemma of breaching either the Parliament's legal advice, or that of the Standards Commissioner.

And the whole energy being directed at this - three-hour committee meeting today - with all the official resources - is using up time and money way in excess of any possible misdemeanour. As you said, Tom, it is not like there is nothing else for them to do.

[4th gen Suthen']

on reporting scotland, please don't give the bosses at Pacific Quay a 'Scottish 6.'

Please no Scottish 6......"bins overturned in Auchterarder" "dog lost in Milngavie"......noooooooooooo

[EMDEE]

I've never heard an explanation as to why Ms Alexander needed to raise funds and accept donations for a leadership campaign which was uncontested. Maybe I'm being naive here, but I wouldn't have thought there would be a great deal of cost involved in a contest where there is no other candidate.

[ionnsaigh]

The cost of new clothes. hair style, shoes - elocution lessons etc. etc. Come on now, the wee lassie is doing her best for independence

[Wee Toon Ajax]

Whilst I agree that this is taking up a lot of the Parliament's time unneccesarily I do feel that this matter could have been settled nearly 9 months ago if Wendy Alexander and her cohorts had been honest from the very beginning.

Instead Wendy and her advisors have made a mockery not only of the procedures but the electorate by lying about this from day one either saying she was advised wrongly, did not know the procedures etc etc - and this woman expects us to allow her to be leader of our country. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, so next time you get caught breaking the law come up with the Alexander excuse of being ignorant of the law and see if the police / judge let you off.

Incidentally the procedures re donations were set up by her own party in Government principally to stop smaller parties like the SNP getting donations from the likes of Sean Connery and now like many things with the utterly corrupt and devoid of principle New Labour party is has come back to haunt them.

[vanadium]

I'm guessing you're not a fan of New Labour then WT Ajax?

[Govangirl]

Who is?

[Govangirl]

Och, now she's gone! Surely they'll have some kind of competition to replace her this time?

[Wee Toon Ajax]

I can't say that I am not glad to see the back of this person - I cannot think of a more odious and arrogant politcian in years, well apart from her brother Douglas. A total careerist like many in New Labour who are more interested in what they can get out of it rather then remembering that first and foremost that they are there to represent the voters. Goodbye Wendy, you will not be missed, well apart from the SNP who you were a sure fire vote winner for.

Even in defeat she did not show any sign of humility at all. She said she was the victim of a "partisan" decision by the committee and claimed there had been a "breach of natural justice". Oops sorry Wendy, you broke the law not once but twice, firstly in accepting an illegal donation and secondly, only asking advice about the donations after the period in which you were supposed to declare them. This is not a breach of natural justice - if you break the law then you should be charged with doing so, has this person ever thought of accepting responsibilty for her actions. These were laws brought in by her own Labour government in Westminster - if she doesnt understand the law then she should not be in the position to be leader of a political party.

She then says "The process of successive SNP inspired complaints and investigations has been unrelenting and will continue into the autumn, almost a year after the initial complaint. My pursuers have sought the prize of political victory with little thought to the standing of the parliament.

Sorry but this story was initially the result of an internal Labour leak to the Sunday Herald - does she honestly think that people are stupid and we do not read newspapers.

Hopefully she will have learned something from this whole episode but going by her arrogance to date I doubt it and I can honestly hope that for the sake of the people of Scotland that she fades into obscurity.

[Mo*]

You must feel a lot better now wee toon ajax, having spilled that bile.

[Wee Toon Ajax]

You must feel a lot better now wee toon ajax, having spilled that bile.

Lol aye probably but this was a person who treated all around her including the electorate of Scotland with utter contempt even in her resignation speech so in my opinion what have I said was no more than she deserved

[TYM]

In my opinion, this whole "Donations scandal" is a complete non-event as far as the general public is concerned. A one day ban? - who cares. It would have been very quickly forgotten about and would have done no lasting damage to Wendy Alexander.

It seems to be that this whole thing is being used as a smokescreen and to try and blame others for the real reason for her departure - the split in the Party after her "Independence Referendum now" remarks which she repeated only last week. I believe that reinforcement of her position on this proved to be the last straw for Westminster Labour and pressure from above forced her out. Iain Gray will be the new Leader

[Mary G]

That is an interesting - and not-un-heard-of theory, TYM, however, I am pretty sure that it was not the reason for her departure. I can see exactly how people would reach that conclusion - not unimaginable; however, the reasons are as stated, from what I can tell.

I also agree that what annoyed the general pubic was - as Tom and TYM say - that there are so many more important things about which the public is concerned - health, education, jobs, etc, etc - and so this does seem like a non-issue. All the vox pox confirm this. In fact, I think what many see as petty, squabbling, spiteful behaviour may come back to bite the SNP. And it tarnishes all politicians.

Anyway, on Wendy's successor, yes, Iain Gray is possible, however, I would not rule out Margaret Curran or Ken MacIntosh. I think Andy Kerr may stand, but I don't think that Cathy Jamieson will.

No inside information, mind ... just a hunch or two.

[TYM]

It just seems incredible to me that a Leader should resign on a point of principle when I don't think it really matters a jot to the general public. I wonder if her heart was really in it, and with two young children to look after I could imagine there were times when she must have thought "Why should I put up with all this hassle?" You are obviously much closer to it than me Mary G, but I do not see this as a resignation matter.

I have to say that I switch off any political tv or radio programme as soon as the bickering and political point scoring starts as I just cannot be bothered with it. I think it is unfair to label one party as, in my eyes, they are all as bad as each other. If grown up adults cannot have a sensible discussion without trying to interrupt or shout over each other then they are not worth listening to.

Interesting speculation on the new leader. I did not think Andy Kerr was all that inspiring in the last Administration and I did not feel Margaret Curran was very stateswoman-like in her victory speech at the last election, depsite having every sympathy for the way she must have felt at the time. However, Ken McIntosh is an intersting shout.