WHY WENDY IS SO WRONG

Sep 30 2007 Elaine C. Smith

I AM really disappointed at the way Wendy Alexander spoke at the Labour conference.

It seemed like she was apologising to Labour down south for the people of Scotland being a bit stupid and getting it all wrong in the election.

There was no mention that it was Brown and Blair who ran the campaign - and that she is their golden child.

If they had run it the way poor Jack McConnell suggested I'm sure they would have done better. The Government's policies on Iraq, Trident and cash for honours were huge factors but they wouldn't listen.

I worry for the people in the Labour Party who stayed loyal for decades. If this is how you are treated I don't know how you cope.

Saying, "Don't worry chaps, what happened in Scotland is just a wee blip and the stupid punters got it wrong," is not the way to win back power. Wendy should have told the conference a seismic shift has happened here and even if it only lasts a few years, politics will never be the same.

The votes of the people here are not to be taken for granted.

Telling the Scottish electorate they are stupid and turning up at No. 10 with Thatcher does nothing for your supporters.