tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post7518477301096979905..comments2024-02-28T22:03:19.609+00:00Comments on A Scottish Liberal: Hugh O'Donnell quits Lib DemsAndrewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02027368242570244912noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-2403953105750462152011-03-30T13:47:19.953+01:002011-03-30T13:47:19.953+01:00Maybe you're right Allan and that personal res...Maybe you're right Allan and that personal resentments exists on both sides. It may well be true that the leadership have handled this badly. But I don't think the timing of O'Donnell's announcement was coincidental and is hardly the "principled" resignation he claims. It appears motivated by personal animosity towards Tavish Scott. That's understandable in itself, but I still think it would have been preferable if he had informed party colleagues in advance. Many people seemed aware of O'Donnell's frustrations, few expected a resignation.<br /><br />I understand criticism of Tavish Scott but in my own dealings with him (which admitttedly are minimal) I've never found him to be so controlling and autocratic. That might not, however, be the experience of his MSPs. Even accepting this though doesn't mean O'Donnell's intentionally-timed outburst, self-promotion as an isolated man of principle and subsequent derision of liberals who choose to remain inside the party is welcome.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027368242570244912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-44733386449071174582011-03-30T13:08:18.525+01:002011-03-30T13:08:18.525+01:00Hugh's travails within the party are well know...Hugh's travails within the party are well known and not just recent. You say that his decision to resign is as much due to personal resentments - that may be true but that resentment applies as much to Tavish Scott as it may do to Hugh. It's not an issue that has been kept quiet until his resignation.<br /><br />Tavish does run the party in an autocratic manner, and he has spent the past four years being almost entirely oppositional resulting in some poor decision making. <br /><br />I was disappointed that Tavish won the leadership when he was clearly the poorest performer of the three candidates. Last night's display suggest little has improved on that score.Allan Heronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-14550401478523434322011-03-29T22:19:29.930+01:002011-03-29T22:19:29.930+01:00Stuart, isn't the Guardian a bit highbrow for ...Stuart, isn't the Guardian a bit highbrow for you?<br /><br />Fair minded? Well, I try to be!<br /><br />I have no issue with people following their consciences. I don't have to agree with them to respect their decison. However, if I'd been experiencing the same frustrations as O'Donnell and come to the conclusion I could not remain in the party, I would have spoken to the party leadership, my colleagues and my local party to explain my decision and why I'd arrived there. I wouldn't simply keep quiet until a day before nominations close and then unburden myself to a journalist.<br /><br />There are many of who are less than happy about either the coalition and/or our leadership but there are more mature and responsible ways to deal with it than to cynically and deliberately undermine the party. It just looks petty and personal.Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027368242570244912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-86737213445556080552011-03-29T18:20:46.296+01:002011-03-29T18:20:46.296+01:00Andrew,
I just noticed that someone commenting on...Andrew,<br /><br />I just noticed that someone commenting on The Guardian blog has referred to this piece:<br /><br />"Since you have a continuing interest in (Hugh O'Donnell), I've looked up a response from a commentator who is closer to the events - and who, as far as I can tell, provides a fair-minded review."<br /><br />Fair-minded, eh? Who would have thought it?Stuartnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-3355858824270376172011-03-29T09:06:15.074+01:002011-03-29T09:06:15.074+01:00Maybe you're right John!Maybe you're right John!Andrewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02027368242570244912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3952108899218764633.post-18430256263968618242011-03-28T20:36:15.873+01:002011-03-28T20:36:15.873+01:00sometimes, when someone is determined to leave and...sometimes, when someone is determined to leave and beyond rationale discussion, you just have to say "yeah, whatever, cheers, bye!"John Minardhttp://tiny.cc/splashblognoreply@blogger.com