The National Team
The Labour party is making a rod for its own back as it goes about the laborious task of finding a new Scottish leader - it's like waiting for an elephant to give birth.
All this faffing about is down to the fact that the biggest Labour hitters north of the border are not really interested in the top job - though some arm twisting is still taking place behind the scenes - allegedly.
For example, Jim Murphy - a former Scottish Secretary - and Douglas Alexander - a former International Development Minister - have both let it be known that they're intent on staying at Westminster - despite all the travel and disruption to normal family life.
In footballing terms it's a bit like turning your back on the national team - in its hour of greatest need.
Which begs the obvious question - 'If they're not bothered enough make a few personal sacrifices - why should the rest of us care about what happens to Labour in Scotland?'
Of the three candidates to throw their hats in the ring so far - Tom Harris, Johann Lamont and Ken MacIntosh - only Ken MacIntosh speaks like a normal person - though Tom Harris writes well and has a sense of humour.
And I imagine that a good sense of humour - preferably 'gallows' humour - is an essential asset for a leader of the Scottish Labour party these days - so maybe Harris is in with a shout.
But apparently - those in the know - are saying that the trade unions won't support Tom Harris or Ken MacIntosh because they're not sufficiently in tune - with the way in which the unions do business.
Good for them - I would say.
Because when it comes to Labour party politics - the unions operate the same way as Gordon Brown - which is to say the complete opposite of being open and transparent.
Instead of supporting One-Member-One-Vote - the trade unions are old-fashioned, machine-like and unaccountable to their members - in any real sense.
And that's against the background where Labour-supporting union leaders - no longer reflect the political views of ordinary union members - especially in Scotland.
If the dead hand of the trade unions is crucial in electing Labour's new Scottish leader - the party's over for the next ten years.
Because that's how long it will take to recover - and face up to reality.
Leading Scottish Labour should be the dream of every party member - local councillor, MP and MSP.
Instead they're all running away as fast as they can - as if they're all embarrassed at the prospect of playing for their national team.
All this faffing about is down to the fact that the biggest Labour hitters north of the border are not really interested in the top job - though some arm twisting is still taking place behind the scenes - allegedly.
For example, Jim Murphy - a former Scottish Secretary - and Douglas Alexander - a former International Development Minister - have both let it be known that they're intent on staying at Westminster - despite all the travel and disruption to normal family life.
In footballing terms it's a bit like turning your back on the national team - in its hour of greatest need.
Which begs the obvious question - 'If they're not bothered enough make a few personal sacrifices - why should the rest of us care about what happens to Labour in Scotland?'
Of the three candidates to throw their hats in the ring so far - Tom Harris, Johann Lamont and Ken MacIntosh - only Ken MacIntosh speaks like a normal person - though Tom Harris writes well and has a sense of humour.
And I imagine that a good sense of humour - preferably 'gallows' humour - is an essential asset for a leader of the Scottish Labour party these days - so maybe Harris is in with a shout.
But apparently - those in the know - are saying that the trade unions won't support Tom Harris or Ken MacIntosh because they're not sufficiently in tune - with the way in which the unions do business.
Good for them - I would say.
Because when it comes to Labour party politics - the unions operate the same way as Gordon Brown - which is to say the complete opposite of being open and transparent.
Instead of supporting One-Member-One-Vote - the trade unions are old-fashioned, machine-like and unaccountable to their members - in any real sense.
And that's against the background where Labour-supporting union leaders - no longer reflect the political views of ordinary union members - especially in Scotland.
If the dead hand of the trade unions is crucial in electing Labour's new Scottish leader - the party's over for the next ten years.
Because that's how long it will take to recover - and face up to reality.
Leading Scottish Labour should be the dream of every party member - local councillor, MP and MSP.
Instead they're all running away as fast as they can - as if they're all embarrassed at the prospect of playing for their national team.
