Scottish Elections: Glasgow Govan candidates
Posted by: Richard in Glasgow, Politics, Scotland, Scottish elections, UKYesterday nominations closed for the various elections happening next month, and the pixies at the BBC have collated the candidates details.
Whilst some of the candidate parties are rather obvious, some are a little vague, so I thought I’d have a look about and see what the interweb has to say on the candidates, and the party they represent, much as I recently did for Pollokshields council candidates.
I have to say, pickings are a bit light on even the main candidates. I’m beginning to get the distinct impression that Scottish politicians aren’t really embracing the internet. Perhaps because the public aren’t rushing out to use it to find out, or is it a Chicken-and-egg situation perhaps? Or simply that right now it’s only politically interested folk like me that are looking right now, and it’ll all change a few days before election day…?
Anyway, I digress..
- Gordon Jackson – Defending the seat for Labour, Jackson has a big ask. He faced questions about his remaining a lawyer, and has given painfully vague assurances that he and his supporters use to dubious acclaim that he’s “stepping back“, rather than a straight forward “stopping”. I want a full-time politician, and from a party that’s prepared to stand up and argue strongly for it’s electorate. Gordon won’t be getting my vote, that much I have decided. He has an oh-so-current website, but no notable online presence.
- Martyn McIntyre – Conservative. Toryradio.com gives Martyn an ‘outside chance’ of winning. Probably a fair summary in a constituency with a pretty solid and loyal left-wing vote. Not much from the Scottish Conservatives website on Malcolm (or any of the other candidates for that matter)
- Elinor McKenzie – Scottish Communists, part of the Communist Party of Britain (hence CPB). You’ve got to like the Communist and hard-left websites. Lots of stars, flags and raised fists. Don’t confuse her with a softball trophy, but sadly I can’t find much that’s working right now (link unresponsive when writing), but no dedicated website for Elinor it seems, but – perhaps as with the big 4 parties – I think it’s fair to say we all have a feeling about the direction the Communist party will take.
- Asif Nasir – Independent – It seems Asif stood in 2003 for the People’s alliance but is now genuinely Independent. Slim pickings, and nothing really out there to help better understand what policies Asif is putting forward. A shame. Would have thought the interwebs would be the best stomping ground for resource and supporter limited independents.
- Nicola Sturgeon – SNP. We all know what the SNP is about, given they’re dominating the news agenda, have run a slick campaign, and even have Labour on the back-foot. So far she’s the only candidate so far to knock on my door, and personally ask for my vote and spend time talking to us. She came very close last time around, and polling shows that this seat has to be within their grasp. She’s some holding pages, but nothing specific for her Govan campaign (Spookily, my pages show up quite high in the google results)…
- Chris Young – Liberal Democrat – ourcampaigns.com helpfully informs us that Chris is “Still Living”, but there is a bit more at the Glasgow Lib Dem site. Not much more other than his various TV appearances which might increase his appeal to some… The picture used of Chris seems to be identical everywhere I find it too. I’d normally be considering voting Lib Dem, but can’t quite build up the enthusiasm for them in this election. The silly and cynical party tactics I’ve mentioned (parties fielding just one candidate) in the council elections could – tentatively – be put at their feet given it was a key demand for the coalition with Labour…
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April 13th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Richard
Is it not about time you began to think of defining your own ideas and maybe joining a party and seeing whether you would like to be an elected representative in some capacity or other?
April 15th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
[...] about my own little corner, I’ve continued to be rather frustrated by the lack of information about candidates and the rather annoying tactics in the council elections. One party, one vote, so to speak. That [...]
April 25th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
[...] Our only “post” yesterday was a huge pile of household delivery items from the various parties standing in Glasgow. I’ve not got around to reading them yet, other than to flick through and see which parties are represented. Seems most of them are, but only the SNP and Labour have so far knocked on our door (that I’m aware of). No surprise given they’re fighting hard for the Govan constituency. [...]
April 30th, 2007 at 11:19 am
[...] for me as your 1st choice”. Then a rather confusing plea to vote for Nicola Sturgeon at the Govan constituency level, although the quote attributed to her backing him is referring to his council bid. All a bit [...]
May 2nd, 2007 at 5:45 am
Enjoyed your wit and writing, but what’s the deal with the Elinor McKenzie entry:
“I can’t find much that’s working right now (link unresponsive when writing)”
As the Communist Party webmaster (web-prol if you like), you will find the site is
http://www.scottishcommunists.org.uk/
and working fine.
Hardly a raised fist to be seen
– in fact plenty in the way of video hustings from around Glasgow, topics addressed, Independence debated at length – ( http://www.scottishcommunists.org.uk/media/?page=scotland/socialism/independence
and so on.
anyway, all the best
May 2nd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
[...] have three votes. One for the MSP consituentency candidate (my constituency is Glasgow Govan). One for the the MSP regional candidates (I’m in the Glasgow region(!)). And a ranked vote [...]
May 3rd, 2007 at 1:36 pm
In fact, Elinor McKenzie featured on the BBC Election podcasts/ webcasts:
“you can’t keep a good woman down – you’re a fighter!”
BBC online
Scottish Communsits
May 3rd, 2007 at 8:24 pm
God help me, I’m confused. Had your website come up top of the list in a google search I did for glasgow govan candidates. But it’s only added to my confusion so far, as this is a completely different set of govan candidates from what I was expecting. And how the hell have I got to vote three times (at least)? It looks like my city council ward is defined as govan (and not craigton where I’m actually right beside) but my parliament constituency is glasgow pollok rather than govan. And you’re voting for glasgow govan, when you’re nowhere near govan!…