Scottish Labour's post-election review must be brutally honest, according to Record View. The party's manifesto lacked ambition, and the failure to have a List strategy proved costly. However, the main reason for the humbling defeat was the inept performance of outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Scottish Labour's defeat was directed, produced, and written by Starmer, the article argues.
Scottish Labour Judged on Starmer's Record
Anas Sarwar could have offered voters £10,000 each, and it would have made little difference. Scottish Labour were judged on Starmer's poor record as PM and had no chance of winning in May. The relationship with the UK party must be front and centre in the review.
Calls for Separation Grow
Former candidate Jack McConnel – no relation to the ex-first minister – is leading calls for Scottish Labour to become a separate party. He argues that Labour face extinction unless they do something bold. Polling commissioned by his campaign group, Just for Scotland, shows that SNP and Green voters could be wooed if Scottish Labour was separate from the UK party. Pro-independence voters could also flock to an entirely new, pro-devolution party.
Scottish Labour have lost five elections in a row to the SNP and cannot get a hearing from voters. A new relationship with UK Labour – with Andy Burnham at the helm as PM – is essential if a centre-left, pro-UK party is to topple the SNP.
Hope Gordon Inspires at Commonwealth Games
With the World Cup ending, Scotland's role can be remembered with pride but also disappointment. The team reached the tournament for the first time in 28 years, starting with a widely celebrated win against Haiti. However, poor results against Morocco and Brazil saw them narrowly miss the knock-out stages. But the summer of sport continues with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next week.
Para-athlete Hope Gordon has overcome serious childhood illness and the amputation of her leg. Now she is set to represent her country in her third sport – weightlifting – at the Glasgow games. She has already appeared in the Paralympics as a skier and a canoeist. Hope is well named, as she provides the nation with inspiration for new sporting heroes.
