McGinley eyes up top job at council
There’s a saying that when the top banana’s job is up for grabs . . . every monkey in the troupe starts to get restless.
It’s not an old saying . . . because I only made it up a minute ago!
But anywhere I’ve worked - a new face at the top resonates all the way to the bottom of the food chain.
People start to get twitchy that a new boss will mean change – and start fretting if that change will be for the better . . or worse?
In the case of South Ayrshire Council – looking for a new leader after the political passing of Douglas Campbell – any fretting can be kept to a minimum.
When things can’t get any worse . . better is a fairly safe option!
In the only account I’ve read so far of Mr Campbell’s three years in charge – er, written by Mr Campbell himself – he did a pretty good job.
Words like ‘ shambolic’ and ‘ disastrous’ – adjectives usually linked to the current South Ayrshire Council administration – appear to have been omitted.
The simple truth is that SAC’s reputation is now so low – you’d need to start drilling to find any trace of it.
And in terms of approval – the “R” rate of transmission of popularity must now be in the minus range.
If we all stay two metres apart until the end of the summer – there will be no confirmed cases of anyone liking South Ayrshire Council at all!
So who is going to step into the breach and reverse this downward spiral of discontent?
Up until last weekend, the post-Campbell disorder seemed fairly orderly.
The ruling SNP members would run their chosen candidate up the leadership flagpole – and everyone would salute them.
But what’s this? An insurrection? Perhaps an annexation?
Could it even be a coup d’etat? How else would you describe one Labour councillor telling nine SNP councillors that they’re not up to the job as leader . . . but he IS!
Yes – step forward Brian McGinley, the labour depute leader.
Has he been overdosing on Game of Thrones re- runs?
Is he seriously asking an SNP- led council to elect a Labour leader? You bet he is!
And are Nicola’s Nine seriously considering this option?
You bet they are!
The political possibilities here are so Machiavellian – I’m pausing now for a can of Guinness just to work it out all for myself!
Slurp! Gurgle!
Right – Brian’s Labour has five seats.
They woo the two independents and go up to seven . . . still two short of the Nicola Nine.
But if his old mate Douglas Campbell sits on his hands and abstains – that leaves Brian McGinley just a raised hand short.
Could he tempt just one of the nine to come on board?
The depute leadership, the chair on a few key panels – not to mention the extra dosh that comes with them?
Well, Mr McGinley may come over as blunt force trauma – but politically, he’s as sharp as a stiletto. ( Surely you mean ‘ sharp as a tack’? - Ed).
You need boxer shorts bulging with confidence to write your own sales pitch to your rivals - as Brian McGinley has done.
Especially when that sales pitch is about SAC not doing very much . . . during his three years as its second most powerful councillor!
Before Nicola’s Nine decide to become just eight, seven or six – here’s a another wee number they might want to remember.
Thirteen thousand, one hundred and fifty five.
Ring a bell, folks? That’s the number of SNP first preference votes cast in South Ayrshire’s 2017 local .
Did they all vote Nat . . . to a LABOUR leader in charge?
Zap! And with Scottish Labour now officially opposed to another indy referendum, how will Holyrood react to South Ayrshire’s SNP councillors becoming Labour kingmakers?
Pow!
And finally . . . there’s the great Conservative Consequence!
If the Nats, Labour and the independents have their 16 votes split – Tory - leader Martin Dowey is already sitting on 12 and could suddenly find himself on the throne! Biff!
The SLP and SNP handing the Tories power?
Sorry . . . I’m off.
I feel another can of Guinness coming on . . .
He may come over as a blunt force trauma but he’s as politcally as sharp as a stiletto