Sunday, 17 June 2012 21:06
35 Comments
By a Newsnet reporter 
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has been found guilty of breaking rules over donations and fined £400 after the Electoral Commission ruled that almost £15,000 gifted to her leadership campaign had not been registered on time.
The MSP becomes the first ever to be fined by the body over donations and is a further blow to a leadership that has witnessed several gaffes from the inexperienced former BBC reporter.
The Glasgow list MSP was handed two fines of £200 each after twice missing a 30 day deadline in registering two donations in October, the Commission could have imposed fines of £5000.
In total the Electoral Commission looked into the failure to declare £14,500 of donations to her leadership campaign as required by law. James Stewart donated £2000 to her campaign and a further £12,500 was donated by wealthy Tory donor Brian Gillies.
Electoral Commission records show the former BBC Scotland reporter declared four campaign donations totalling £29,500 – greatly helping her win, by a narrow margin, the Conservative Holyrood leadership race on November 4th, 2011.
According to the Electoral Commission database, she received two donations on September 19th but did not report the sums until November 21st – well after the leadership race, and more than a month after the legal deadline for reporting donations.
Ms Davidson’s leadership has been dogged by a series of blunders and previously supportive Scottish Conservatives are now openly criticising the novice MSP.
Her leadership triumph sparked bitter accusations from her three rivals who demanded an independent probe into whether Davidson's campaign had received unfair help from the party hierarchy – Davidson was reported to be the favourite of the London Tory hierarchy.
The SNP seized on the guilty verdict by claiming that if their leader in Scotland can’t even run her own leadership contest properly, the Tories should not be trusted to run the anti-independence campaign.
Kenneth Gibson MSP, Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Finance Committee, said the fines were a “humiliation” and added:
"With the Tories leading the No campaign this raises serious concerns about the financing of the anti-independence camp if they can’t even be trusted with adhering to financial rules in small internal campaigns.
"The Tories will be wondering if they voted for the wrong leader and the anti-independence parties must be cringing reading the papers today.
"It is also a further setback for the Tories after their feeble showing at the council elections in May when their vote fell back in Scotland even from their low water mark of 2007."
At last week’s First Ministers Questions, Ms Davidson was mocked by Alex Salmond after she claimed that it was SNP policy to have the Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulate Scottish banks in an independent Scotland.
Mr Salmond chided the Tory leader by reminding her that the FSA would not exist as it was shortly to be abolished, something that was announced by Ms Davidson’s own party colleague Chancellor George Osborne in June 2010.
Comments
#
2012-06-17 21:23
A £400 fine against total donations of £15000 seems a small price to pay, apart from the loss of face of course.
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2012-06-17 21:51
The London parties reps. in Holyrood are becoming a liability to the anti-Scotland camp and will almost certainly be replaced by people from Westminster.
We are already seeing that from London Labour with the likes of the failed chancelor Darling and his ilk being nominated as their front people for the referendum campaign.
If I were representing Westminster's interests at Holyrood,I would be considering a career move out of politics.
We are already seeing that from London Labour with the likes of the failed chancelor Darling and his ilk being nominated as their front people for the referendum campaign.
If I were representing Westminster's interests at Holyrood,I would be considering a career move out of politics.
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2012-06-17 22:22
I often see comments on here to the effect that opposition party leaders such as Lamont and Davidson, because of their ineptitude, are 'assets' to the SNP cause. While this may be true in the context of Holyrood and which party is perceived by the electorate as being the most competent it is not necessarily true in the context of the referendum.
Speaking to friends recently they said that, for them, one of the factors which counted against Independence was the thought of being governed by the Labour Party and the mediocre people therein. That would also apply to the Tories and LibDems remote as their chances may be of ever governing.
So while their ineptitude may count in favour of the SNP winning elections to Holyrood as currently constituted it may count against the argument for Independence because people do not want a one party state post-independence and do not see the other parties and their leading lights as credible opposition let alone parties of government in an independent Scotland with full powers as opposed to a Parliament with limited powers.
Speaking to friends recently they said that, for them, one of the factors which counted against Independence was the thought of being governed by the Labour Party and the mediocre people therein. That would also apply to the Tories and LibDems remote as their chances may be of ever governing.
So while their ineptitude may count in favour of the SNP winning elections to Holyrood as currently constituted it may count against the argument for Independence because people do not want a one party state post-independence and do not see the other parties and their leading lights as credible opposition let alone parties of government in an independent Scotland with full powers as opposed to a Parliament with limited powers.
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2012-06-17 22:47
Ledgerwood, this has crossed my mind too. Imagine Labour winning an election and Lamont out there negotiating with the world on Scotland's behalf! Terrifying. This does worry me if Scotland votes yes. SNP won't win for ever.
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2012-06-17 22:57
You raise a good point. Can I suggest that you make the point to your friends that if Scotland had been independent then all the Scots politicians at Westminster would have been standing for election at Holyrood.
Scottish Labour wouldn't be led by their 2nd or 3rd string, but by their best. While SNP supporters may not like them, a Scottish Government led by the likes of Brown, Darling, Cook, Alexander, Murphy would be a team of "big hitters". These Scots were good enough to run the UK. Why would Scotland somehow have suffered? They would also have been operating without the baggage of British Imperialism.
For LD friends, why would a Scots Govt have been poorer by the inclusion of GB politicians of the stature of Ming Campbell, David Steel, Michael Moore or Danny Alexander (OK- only the UK would have promoted the last two to cabinet rank. Scots would have more sense).
If your friends are Tories, then it's certainly true that the most effective politicians at the moment are in England - but wouldn't it be better if we had distinctive Scottish policies of the right being supported by the likes of Murdo Fraser?
To Legerwood (below)
It would help if you understood the point!
We are talking about the views of those who are happy to have a Labour Government in the UK with these people - but not those same people in charge of Scotland.
Do you want to persuade people to vote for independence - or are you simply anti-Labour?
Scottish Labour wouldn't be led by their 2nd or 3rd string, but by their best. While SNP supporters may not like them, a Scottish Government led by the likes of Brown, Darling, Cook, Alexander, Murphy would be a team of "big hitters". These Scots were good enough to run the UK. Why would Scotland somehow have suffered? They would also have been operating without the baggage of British Imperialism.
For LD friends, why would a Scots Govt have been poorer by the inclusion of GB politicians of the stature of Ming Campbell, David Steel, Michael Moore or Danny Alexander (OK- only the UK would have promoted the last two to cabinet rank. Scots would have more sense).
If your friends are Tories, then it's certainly true that the most effective politicians at the moment are in England - but wouldn't it be better if we had distinctive Scottish policies of the right being supported by the likes of Murdo Fraser?
To Legerwood (below)
It would help if you understood the point!
We are talking about the views of those who are happy to have a Labour Government in the UK with these people - but not those same people in charge of Scotland.
Do you want to persuade people to vote for independence - or are you simply anti-Labour?
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2012-06-18 00:08
Oldnat
Quote:
Who did so well when in charge of the UK- not.
To Davy et al below:
On the Ruth Davidson story: lets give the Sunday Herald some credit on this because they seem to have been the only ones to report it and quite prominently too.
Quote:
...a Scottish Government led by the likes of Brown, Darling, Cook, Alexander, Murphy would be a team of "big hitters".
Who did so well when in charge of the UK- not.
To Davy et al below:
On the Ruth Davidson story: lets give the Sunday Herald some credit on this because they seem to have been the only ones to report it and quite prominently too.
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2012-06-18 14:02
One other factor to consider oldnat. I wonder what the chances of wee Dougie and his pals remaining loyal to the constituents that have put them where they have been over the years might be. We can't exclude the possibility that they may just see the bigger job being the one they have now, serving Labour, serving Westminster, and therefore passing up the opportunity to work in Scotland and for Scotland if they happen to be presented with an opportunity in a constituency elsewhere, allowing them to remain on the Westminster payroll.
We may still have the current lot as the best that Labour think they need to offer Scotland, even when Holyrood has full fiscal powers, in which case power may elude them for some time to come.
An independent Scotland could well have a Labour government, but not I think if they continue to put forward the current gang in Holyrood. Just what will the big hitters do, especially if they happen to be re-elected to their current posts in 2015? By then of course the referendum result will be known. Will they step down, with the golden handshake, and seek a new job in Edinburgh in 2016? I think we should be told.
We may still have the current lot as the best that Labour think they need to offer Scotland, even when Holyrood has full fiscal powers, in which case power may elude them for some time to come.
An independent Scotland could well have a Labour government, but not I think if they continue to put forward the current gang in Holyrood. Just what will the big hitters do, especially if they happen to be re-elected to their current posts in 2015? By then of course the referendum result will be known. Will they step down, with the golden handshake, and seek a new job in Edinburgh in 2016? I think we should be told.
#
2012-06-18 14:22
I do think it would be a tragedy for Scotland and it's parliament,if these unreconstructed Westminster Labour people ever took a seat in the S.P.
The very thought of a Labour Party government in Scotland makes me shudder.
They would come with barrowloads of baggage,not to mention the daily snide remarks about an independent parliament in Scotland.
From Day 1 they couldn't be trusted----unionist every one of them,rememberin g through rose tinted spectacles about the Good Old Days of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
crying over the loss of WMDs,and their higher Westminster salaries.
The very thought of a Labour Party government in Scotland makes me shudder.
They would come with barrowloads of baggage,not to mention the daily snide remarks about an independent parliament in Scotland.
From Day 1 they couldn't be trusted----unionist every one of them,rememberin g through rose tinted spectacles about the Good Old Days of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
crying over the loss of WMDs,and their higher Westminster salaries.
#
2012-06-17 23:20
In a democratic country you get the government that most of the voters support.
If that results in a "one party state" as it has been in England (and by extension Scotland)since Thatcher was elected then so be it.
I do not subscribe to the idea that Scots are too stupid to form a competent government (despite the efforts of Blair,Brown and Darling)and if Scots decide post independence that they do not wish to continue down the neoliberal road then so be it.
Given the current feelings expressed by posters on this forum,it is highly unlikely that the London Labour party would survive an independence vote and that new political structures will emerge (both of the left and right).
Do not despair.
If that results in a "one party state" as it has been in England (and by extension Scotland)since Thatcher was elected then so be it.
I do not subscribe to the idea that Scots are too stupid to form a competent government (despite the efforts of Blair,Brown and Darling)and if Scots decide post independence that they do not wish to continue down the neoliberal road then so be it.
Given the current feelings expressed by posters on this forum,it is highly unlikely that the London Labour party would survive an independence vote and that new political structures will emerge (both of the left and right).
Do not despair.
#
2012-06-18 13:37
I think the opposition leaders do the people of Scotland a huge disservice.
I want to win independance, not from a bunch of no hopers that couldn't find their own bahookie with both hands and a map, but from the most competent and most elloquent the unionists can put in front of us.
Bettering Lamont or Rennie at FMQs is no big deal. To be honest, on his day, my four year old son could give those two a run for thier money. Davidson is slightly better, but slightly better than absolutley awful is still awful! (And my 17 yer old Step son could dance rings round her!)
I can't wait for some decent opposition to materialise on Fiday. I hope they can get some proper Scottish and well respected campaigners like Charlie Kennedy to lead them. That would lead us to a win worth celebrating. Beating Lamont is like kicking a puppy!
I want to win independance, not from a bunch of no hopers that couldn't find their own bahookie with both hands and a map, but from the most competent and most elloquent the unionists can put in front of us.
Bettering Lamont or Rennie at FMQs is no big deal. To be honest, on his day, my four year old son could give those two a run for thier money. Davidson is slightly better, but slightly better than absolutley awful is still awful! (And my 17 yer old Step son could dance rings round her!)
I can't wait for some decent opposition to materialise on Fiday. I hope they can get some proper Scottish and well respected campaigners like Charlie Kennedy to lead them. That would lead us to a win worth celebrating. Beating Lamont is like kicking a puppy!
#
2012-06-17 22:22
The story will gone in a couple of days, if it was an SNP blunder the scrupulous BBC and the rest of our "world class MSM" would of course treat it in exactlly the same manner.
Honest they would ?, Im sure they would ?, of course they would ?, WOULDNT THEY.
Honest they would ?, Im sure they would ?, of course they would ?, WOULDNT THEY.
#
2012-06-17 23:00
Agree completely with you. I've (futilely) emailed the BBC asking if they'll report on this. If they do - or even if they respond to me - I'll eat my hat.
#
2012-06-18 11:29
Quoting ogan86:
They have been reporting Quoting ogan86:
Well the BBC news site has been running Willie Rennie's "bring up the Dali Lama and try to damage A. Salmond 's Chinese trade mission" story for the past three days. A rather sleazy bit of trying to score political points by Willie that can only damage Scottish business
- and that damage is supported by the BBC's coverage.
Agree completely with you. I've (futilely) emailed the BBC asking if they'll report on this. If they do - or even if they respond to me - I'll eat my hat.
They have been reporting Quoting ogan86:
Agree completely with you. I've (futilely) emailed the BBC asking if they'll report on this. If they do - or even if they respond to me - I'll eat my hat.
Well the BBC news site has been running Willie Rennie's "bring up the Dali Lama and try to damage A. Salmond 's Chinese trade mission" story for the past three days. A rather sleazy bit of trying to score political points by Willie that can only damage Scottish business
- and that damage is supported by the BBC's coverage.
#
2012-06-18 19:04
Do you have a link to the BBC article? Not doubting you, just can't seem to find it on their site.
#
2012-06-17 22:46
Have a look at that esteemed website 'Tory Hoose' (not to be confused with Labour Hame or LibDem Shunky).
If you think Ruthie is unpopular here, wait till you read what other Conservatives think of her.
If you think Ruthie is unpopular here, wait till you read what other Conservatives think of her.
#
2012-06-17 23:49
o/t I may have missed it when away.
Has Mr Mundells fraudulent election expenses claim been adjudicated?
Has Mr Mundells fraudulent election expenses claim been adjudicated?
#
2012-06-17 23:55
Why on earth did she need £29500 for her election campaign? Theres only a handful of tories.
#
2012-06-18 00:13
Quoting mealer:
Have you seen the average age of a tory supporter???
When you are running a campaigning event Mobility scooters and having the St Johns Ambulance on standby doesnt come cheap you know.
Why on earth did she need £29500 for her election campaign? Theres only a handful of tories.
Have you seen the average age of a tory supporter???
When you are running a campaigning event Mobility scooters and having the St Johns Ambulance on standby doesnt come cheap you know.
#
2012-06-18 00:34
"St Johns Ambulance"
Is there a particular reason why you think that the Tories would want to bring ambulances up from England?
Is there a particular reason why you think that the Tories would want to bring ambulances up from England?
#
2012-06-18 10:29
Quoting oldnat:
Why not Oldnat??? They want to import english policies here so why not the services too...
"St Johns Ambulance"
Is there a particular reason why you think that the Tories would want to bring ambulances up from England?
Why not Oldnat??? They want to import english policies here so why not the services too...
#
2012-06-18 00:54
I am not and never have been a tory,but i will say that i would like to see murdo the new leader of torys in an independent scotland ,he seems like a decent guy, we should make an effort to turn him i think its more than possible.
#
2012-06-18 08:52
It becomes plain, given the then disarray in Tory ranks, that the SDA missed a trick in not fielding candidates in the local elections. A decent showing, which I think they could have achieved, would have pulled the rug from under Ruth and her Unionists and encouraged MSPs like Murdo to cross the floor!
#
2012-06-18 11:33
Assuming that there are enough Thatcherite, Right Wingers with Military fantasies who want to turn Scotland into an Independant, Armed, basket case where the sick and poor are kicked out of their houses to starve and medical help is only for those that can pay.
Maybe
Because if the SDA appeal to the same policies as the Tories that is what they are offering
Maybe
Because if the SDA appeal to the same policies as the Tories that is what they are offering
#
2012-06-18 12:22
What would happen if Murdo (or any other list MSP) resigned from their party? Would they also have to resign from Holyrood seeing as they don’t now represent the party they were nominated from? If the tories are entitled to two seats from the Mid Scotland and Fife electoral region and Murdo becomes an Independent then the tories are not getting their proper entitlement. It is different in constituency voting because the individual is voted for but in the regional vote it is the party.
#
2012-06-18 13:17
SNP list MSPs have left the party and remained MSPs before now (most recently the wife beater) so I don't see why the Tories would be treated any differently.
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2012-06-18 15:12
I wasn't being tory specific but using them as an example (see the first line in my post which mentions "any other list MSP").
I cannot recall any list MSP resigning from their party, the "wife beater" was elected to the Dunfermline constituency so isn't a list MSP.
I cannot recall any list MSP resigning from their party, the "wife beater" was elected to the Dunfermline constituency so isn't a list MSP.
#
2012-06-18 08:43
Ruthie will be turning all shades of red............oh wait now?!?!?!
Embarrassing as it is, it's no exactly a show stopper, still it should highlight why Murdo should have been given the hot seat north of the Rio Tweed.
O/T
dailyrecord.co.uk/.../...
This is a hoot in the Daily Labour. Apparently Britain's involvement the Iraq war is all down to Rupert Murdoch. According to Alastair Campbell (remember him?) Murdoch applied pressure to Tony at George Dubbyuh's behest to hurry things along vis a vis tearing Saddam a new one. So by association the FMs dealings with Murdoch implies double standards and complicity?
So Alastair is saying out loud that Rupert Murdoch was so in charge of UK politics he sent us to war, not St. Tony of Blair, Rupert Murdoch. This coming from 'You spin me right round baby, right round, like a record baby, right round, round, round........', Alastair Campbell. And we're meant to believe him of all people?
Still spinning then.
Embarrassing as it is, it's no exactly a show stopper, still it should highlight why Murdo should have been given the hot seat north of the Rio Tweed.
O/T
dailyrecord.co.uk/.../...
This is a hoot in the Daily Labour. Apparently Britain's involvement the Iraq war is all down to Rupert Murdoch. According to Alastair Campbell (remember him?) Murdoch applied pressure to Tony at George Dubbyuh's behest to hurry things along vis a vis tearing Saddam a new one. So by association the FMs dealings with Murdoch implies double standards and complicity?
So Alastair is saying out loud that Rupert Murdoch was so in charge of UK politics he sent us to war, not St. Tony of Blair, Rupert Murdoch. This coming from 'You spin me right round baby, right round, like a record baby, right round, round, round........', Alastair Campbell. And we're meant to believe him of all people?
Still spinning then.
#
2012-06-18 10:32
Seriously.Why did Ruth need £29500 for an election campaign aimed at a couple of thousand members ? I well remember,at the time of Wendy Alexanders leadership campaign donations scandal,an SNP spokesman saying that for the last SNP leadership election they hired a hall,someone brought along some tea and biscuits and the candidates stayed at someones house.
#
2012-06-18 15:45
Just last week we had Alex Salmond cleared of wasting tea and biscuits at Bute House, because it was his tea and biscuits.
As the world looks askance at this pettiness of Labour, one wonders why they have not reported Ruth Davidson to the Standards Committee?
Surely this offence, from a previously professional journalist, is a parallel with the issue that brought down Wendy Alexander, and she did not get fined?
Or is this part of Bitter Together?
As the world looks askance at this pettiness of Labour, one wonders why they have not reported Ruth Davidson to the Standards Committee?
Surely this offence, from a previously professional journalist, is a parallel with the issue that brought down Wendy Alexander, and she did not get fined?
Or is this part of Bitter Together?
#
2012-06-18 16:22
O/T
Another economist saying the oil is running out, all he revenue is spent and the UK will not have that to fall back on in the future.
What is left of it, spread around a population of 50 million, may not look so significant, but for a population of 5m is it an important asset.
Another economist saying the oil is running out, all he revenue is spent and the UK will not have that to fall back on in the future.
What is left of it, spread around a population of 50 million, may not look so significant, but for a population of 5m is it an important asset.
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