Scottish National Party leadership election, 2024

[CumbrianLefty]

I think going *again* in 2025 would be pretty hard to justify. Four First Ministers in one parliament just seems unthinkable

Its a bit much, but if Swinney makes clear he *is* there for the short term only they might pull it off.

[CumbrianLefty]

So, yet another coronation it seems.

Parties do seem awfully fond of them, even though their actual record can be described as "mixed".

(and then some)

[CumbrianLefty]

I'm not sure that is how it would work out tbh - I'm admittedly biased as I have already expressed my dislike of coronations, but Brown is on the record as regretting not having had an actual contest back in 2007. At the time he thought as you did at the prospect of having to do debates around the land with somebody like John McDonnell, but in fact it might have done him some good to set out his stall and could have been a toughening up experience. And winning an actual leadership election provides legitimacy when things get difficult, as May may have reflected on once things got bad for her.

[CumbrianLefty]

And as I said, having an actual membership endorsement could come in useful in troubled times.