Ok, we have had a few names bandied about suggesting candidates for the Party Chairman job. this has got me thinking a little bit, so rather than continuing to post comments, I'll make another post.
So far, it is only names that we have mentioned, but perhaps we would do well to look at the role that we would like the chairman to fill, then look at who would be best able to fill that role.
Personally, I doubt that many people are aware of what the chair does, so we could look at either having a largely figurehead chairman, which arguably is what we have, and this would be backed up by someone in the role of a Chief Exec. I would argue that this is where Lord James would come in very useful. The Chief Exec would be someone who is wholly politically hands-off and does nothing except raise money and make sure the system runs appropriately. If this happened I would dispense with the services of the "Director of the Party in Scotland" altogether. Which as most of you will know is something I advocate anyway.
The other scenario is that we simply have a Chairman who in fact is politically hands-off and does much the same as the chief exec role discussed above.
Or we have a Chairman who is politically savvy, experienced in business, knows what the feeling on the ground is and endeavours to direct the party in a way that members and the electorate will respond to.
Personally, I like options 1 and 3, though I think we would struggle to find an individual who could fulfill the role of option 3!
Either way, there could technically be roles for Lord James or Struan, but essentially we are looking at the genre of individual rather than specifics. The three options above largely exclude David Davidson, Murray Tosh and David Petrie.
The above is hastily typed and not fully thought out, but it does give food for thought.
Thursday, 26 July 2007
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10 comments:
A business person and Lord James, that'd work. Lord James there as a Tory figurehead and the businessman to do the work, thoughts?
And why exactly do the three options you advocate ‘largely exclude’ those you mention? Other than the fact that you have a clear personal antipathy towards them, of course.
For the reasons already stated anonymous.
None of the three named have enough business experience, none of them are frankly charismatic enough and none of them are high enough profile to be the "Tory royalty" I'd be looking for as a figurehead. Antipathy has nothing to do with it. I genuinely liked Dave Petrie for example, but with the interests of the party at heart I don't see him making a good Chairman.
Who has made the suggestion that Dave Petrie should be chairman?
Make a suggestion then. It's all very well you harping on about the 'type' of person you want without apparently having the slightest idea who specifically could fill the role.
Name someone from ‘a high level business background’, who is a Conservative supporter, and who you believe would be prepared to take up the position.
Why do we need a figurehead? Isn't that supposed to be Annabel's job?
Tumbelweed.
That suggestion was doing the rounds some time ago when it was thought that he may get it after being shafted for a decent seat in the Highlands.
"..it was thought that he may get it after being shafted for a decent seat in the Highlands."
What, you are trying to tell us that Dave Petrie was being touted as chairman perhaps as far back as February, and certainly prior to the election? I think you’re making this up as you go along.
I wish I was. But that was certainly the rumour at the time.
Business background? Conservative? What about Brian Souter? Now that would really make the headlines...
(I'm aware he gave a 500k bung to the Nats, but that was pure pragmatism to get them to change their transport policy - everyone knows he's a Tory.)
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