Independent Candidate Trying to Make a Mark

Independent candidates and small parties made their mark in 2003.  So far polling is suggesting that they will fail to do so in May.  The latest Scotsman Poll saw the Greens fall to 1 MSP, SSP implode and it failed to account for Margo McDonald or the Scottish Pensioners Party.  Opinion polls are bad at picking up support for independence so we should be cautious, however it does make sense that if two major parties are close and battling for power then the smaller parties (and I include the Tories and Lib Dems as well as the very small ones) will probably lose out

Duncan Thorp is the latest to have a go at being an independent.  At the age of 29 you could say it is a rather brave move to go it alone.  You could also say it was arrogant or egotistical.  I'll let you make your own mind up.  You can check Duncan's website out here.

Today he issued a media release calling for the Standards Commissioner to investigate the political parties use of the Scottish Parliament, and public resources, to fund their political activity.  In his release he says:

"In the Scottish Parliament the political parties are operating mini party headquarters.

"Despite each party having their own privately well-funded offices across Scotland, many workers paid by the parties freely carry out political work in our Parliament with the blatant use of publicly-funded parliamentary facilities.

"Since 1999 there has been a creeping trend towards discreet party exploitation of public money. From so-called MSP staff working time to publicly paid-for computers, telephones, fax machines and other equipment, these are all being used not just for the legitimate benefit of MSPs but for the benefit of the political party machines.

"As we speak party workers will be sitting in our parliament using taxpayers money to write party manifesto's, deal with enquiries about other politicians and political activities, work on election propaganda and draft party conference material. There may also be a case for investigating where the parties use the Holyrood research team, SPICE, when their own private income fails to provide enough researchers.

"Should the public really be forced to prop-up the financial failings of political parties? This is surely an inappropriate use of public money and I have written to the Parliamentary authorities and to the Standards Commissioner to urge them to investigate these dubious practices and take action where appropriate. The politicians must stop abusing our trust and state clearly at what point legitimate parliamentary activity begins and party politics ends."

I actually think he has a fair point.  I know from personal experience that he is right.  The  parties are quite clever at using public resources to fund party work and employment, some even work at the party HQs despite being paid by the parliament.

However, Duncan needs to think again if he believe this kind of issue will propel him into Holyrood as an MSP.  This simply won't catch on with the public.  It simply proves his background working in the Parliament and would suggest he has not much else to offer us other than being a little peeved at the political machines, one of which he has obviously fallen out with.

My bet would be that Duncan will be job hunting come May 4th.  Independent candidates need to have a real local campaign reason if they are to stand a chance, or they need to be huge personalities in their own right.  Duncan, no offence, but you don't seem to fit either.

Comments

[Will P]

Good stuff... my first reaction on hearing that Duncan Thorp was standing as an Independent was "Who's Duncan Thorp?"

What's your take on Mev Brown standing in the Lothians for NHSFirst? Apart from his willingness to leave/join/create parties to get his name on the ballot paper making him notable, he looks like he'll have the same trouble as Thorp. Thoughts?

[Duncan Thorp]

Interesting.

The whole point of my campaign is that I'm fighting against arrogant politicians. I don't think anyone who knows me would use that label. I don't understand why choosing not to hide behind a political party logo would be considered egotistical. I also have no backing from anyone, financial or otherwise.

The campaign is obviously not to advance my career. I'm under no illusions about my chances in May. What I don't understand is why some people think that you only stand for election to win - I'm taking a principled stand for what I believe in - unlike the majority of career politicians who want power at any price. At the very least my ideas will be more widespread.

There is certainly more to my campaign than being anti-party (see: www.votethorp.com). When you say "This simply won't catch on with the public" then you clearly haven't seen my email inbox. Of the many emails received the vast majority have been supportive and from ordinary people - the negative emails have been from anonymous political junkies and party activists.

I haven't fallen out with any particular political machine at all, I've made that quite clear, and I still have great respect for many people I used to work with in parliament.

I believe in standing up and being counted, not hiding behind a political party, or moaning about politicians in an anonymous way so as not to be attacked. Personality? You seem like you know me but clearly you've never met me :-)

The point is that when the polls close in May the people of Scotland will once again be left with tired, old political parties in power and the hopes of people outside of the silly Holyrood village will be left out in the cold yet again as the tribal bickering begins. I think people deserve better. A minority now vote. Few people care about this election. People out there in the real world don't want the politics we have now. We're burying our heads in the sand if we think this is just a small problem, in fact it's a political crisis.

[Grant Thoms]

Duncan, if you are not standing to win, why are you standing? Do you need to stand for parliament to have a voice? I'm intrigued. I take it that if you were elected you wouldn't mind, which kind of suggests that you would like to win even if you don't think you stand much chance.

[Deacon Barry]

Duncan, full marks for responding quickly to this post. Engagement with the netroots is good. If you can win over the bloggers, you might have a chance. You need to get your profile much higher before the run-in to the election.

[Duncan Thorp]

Thank you for these most recent comments.

Yes I believe that I do need to stand for parliament to have a voice. There are very few other opportunities to be heard. I would be interested to know of any better political platforms than a public election? The media denies a voice to ordinary people at the best of times. Of course my aim is to win and I'm working hard to achieve that aim - but I'm a realist. At the very least my ideas will be better publicised and I will build up support for next time.

I do believe that the Internet and these types of forums are the best ways to bypass the conservative, mainstream media and spread the campaign message. There are unlimited opportunities here.

I have many things planned for the election but would certainly welcome suggestions for improving the profile of the campaign. Please also let me know of any email addresses I can add to the campaign email list.

Best wishes, Duncan.

[Jeff]

Very impressed Duncan. I like the cut of your gib young man. (I know you're 29 and I'm only 26 but I can't write "cut of your gib" without following it up with "young man")

Anyway, I do have one suggestion.

After reading your refreshingly reasonable response to what I thought was a fairly harsh post by SPN on you, I rushed to your website in the hope of finding out more about this seemingly softly spoken champion of the independent thinker. I was slightly disappointed that it hasn't been updated since Dec.

I think any potential supporters/voters (and I include myself in that throng) would be more likely to vote for you if your website didn't look like you had a spur of the moment idea one day and then didn't follow it up.

I do not doubt you are serious and are constantly busy with your campaign. Sadly, your website suggests otherwise.

I'd be delighted if you were to add my email address to your list - [email protected] and I am planning on "bigging you up" on my own blog soon. Probably today if I get bored at work this afternoon.

Cheers, and I look forward to some email updates on what you are up to.