CommonSpace columnist Yvonne Ridley says Nicola Sturgeon has a number of strong women she can choose from the SNP's group of MPs who are more than able to assist her
THE less than dignified exit of Stewart Hosie as deputy leader of the SNP should be seen more as an opportunity than a loss for the party and for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The problem for Sturgeon now is to find and appoint a replacement who she can rely on to control and exert authority over the big beasts who make up the Westminster group while supporting her.
She needs to have her deputy based in London because of the large presence of SNP MPs there. Having watched Westminster in operation for nearly two decades it is a toxic, testosterone-filled environment guaranteed to corrode and divide the most solid of groups, so the new deputy needs to be ever watchful for these destructive signs.
Having watched Westminster in operation for nearly two decades it is a toxic, testosterone-filled environment guaranteed to corrode and divide the most solid of groups, so the new deputy needs to be ever watchful for these destructive signs.
A quick glance at the Tory and Labour benches exposes the fault lines and cracks which is why the SNP is much resented in the corridors of power – a tight, united front is always intimidating and seen as a threat.
Angus Robertson is doing a grand job as the party’s Westminster leader and he is clearly enjoying the cut and thrust of political debate in the chamber with such a wide-ranging array of MPs who appear to jigsaw very well on the green benches. Expertise is probably more wide and varied than in any other party there.
When Alex Salmond rises to his feet the House listens, even if they don’t like the cut of his jib they admire his oratory skills and his ability to cleanly fillet his opposition. While he appears to be totally loyal and supportive of Sturgeon it would be wrong on so many levels to ask him to step in as deputy.
What Sturgeon needs to do is appoint a woman and there is a wealth of choice and experience from which to choose among the SNP MPs. The gender game in the ranks of the SNP is no longer an issue as a quick look at the cabinet in Holyrood reveals it to be one of the most balanced in the world today, so it’s not a question of positive discrimination.
This summer is going to be key for Sturgeon, who promised the Yes movement that a new independence initiative would be launched. She needs a strong, inspirational voice by her side.
Some of the most inspiring politicians to have emerged in recent years are women and Sturgeon doesn’t suffer from Thatcher syndrome – having broken through the glass ceiling the Iron Lady then set about making sure other women were unable to develop and thrive and follow her. A quick look at the make up of her cabinet revealed that.
This summer is going to be key for Sturgeon, who promised the Yes movement that a new independence initiative would be launched. She needs a strong, inspirational voice by her side, someone she can trust and rely on; someone who can be her eyes and ears in Westminster.
There are nearly 20 SNP female members of parliament from which to choose and many of them are already displaying great leadership skills. Coming from the worlds of media, charity, education, medicine and business, these women have a wealth of experience missing from many of the other Labour, Tory and Lib Dem MPs inhabiting the Westminster bubble.
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, has already proven herself as an articulate, forthright speaker in Westminster and is a tireless worker for the party outside of the London hot house. Her brief as Shadow SNP Westminster group leader (trade and investment) is already one of the key appointments.
Coming from the worlds of media, charity, education, medicine and business, these women have a wealth of experience missing from many of the other Labour, Tory and Lib Dem MPs inhabiting the Westminster bubble.
Dr Lisa Cameron from East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow has the organisational skills that Sturgeon may need in a solid deputy. As a former NHS consultant and union representative she has great credentials.
Banff and Buchan’s Eilidh Whiteford kept the Westminster seat she won in 2010 after Alex Salmond stood down for the constituency with a massive 60 per cent of the vote. Lawyer Joanna Cherry, who took Alistair Darling’s former Edinburgh South West seat by a majority of over 8,000, is known to have a cool head in a storm.
And the reality is this summer could provide more than a summer of discontent for the first minister, especially among the independence-eager ranks of SNP members; that being the case Sturgeon needs to be ably assisted by a strong, articulate and inspirational deputy who can keep the Westminster beasts in check while commanding the respect of the grassroots.
Her deputy, I believe, lies in the ranks of the Westminster women.
The CommonSpace opinion section is an open platform for anyone who wants to voice their views and does not represent the editorial position of CommonSpace itself. If you'd like to have a piece published, email CommonSpace editor Angela Haggerty at angela@common.scot
Picture courtesy of Liam O’Hare
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