This childish attack on Nicola Sturgeon marks a new low for Scottish Labour
Scottish Labour are not in a good position. They have gone from being the biggest party in 2005 to having only one MP in 2015. And recent polling suggests the Scottish Conservatives have doubled their lead, while the SNP eclipses them by nearly four times.
Scottish Westminster voting intention:
SNP: 47% (-)
CON: 28% (+1)
LAB: 14% (-1)
LDEM: 4% (-)(via Panelbase)
— Britain Elects (@britainelects) March 19, 2017
Read on...
But this didn’t stop Neil Findlay MSP from tweeting the following image. An image that is unlikely to appeal to Scottish Labour’s remaining supporters – let alone win more voters back:
The reference
The “get up [off] your seat” reference relates to an encounter in Scottish Parliament between Findlay and Sturgeon in which he says:
On numerous occasions, I’ve heard the First Minister demand that, if there is a majority in this parliament to have another referendum, then the will of this parliament must be respected. But, of course, this argument only applies when it suits the First Minister’s case. Where was this great champion of parliamentary democracy when this parliament defeated her government on fracking, on NHS cuts, on Highlands and Islands Enterprise, on council funds, on the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, on failing education policy, and local government’s cuts? I will give way to the First Minister if she can tell us why it suits her argument, but when she’s defeated, she rejects democracy. I will give way if the First Minister wants to tell us. [Sturgeon remains seated]. That tells you everything!
Overshadowing
You may not agree with Findlay’s point. But it was a piece of political grandstanding that was likely to grab people’s attention. Which he subsequently managed to overshadow with a joke about the First Minister having a fat arse.
But ultimately, the low point isn’t just that Findlay made a graceless joke that enforces misogyny in British politics. It’s also that a prominent MSP would put this message out with no awareness of how badly it would reflect on himself and his party.
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