Archive 

SCP to field candidate in General Election


The Scottish Christian Party is hoping to field a candidate in the forthcoming general election and a contest is to held in the early new year to select a candidate.



murdomurray smallA £30,000 campaign war chest has been promised to the Scottish Christian Party (SCP) candidate fighting the Western Isles constituency in the forthcoming general election. The party’s political candidate will be chosen in February after a US-style Open Primary contest open to all islanders.

This is thought to be just the second time the American system of allow all voters in an area to select a prospective candidate for an election in the UK. The first was in August when the Sarah Wollaston was picked to fight the Totnes seat for the 2010 general election for the Conservatives.

The candidate selection will be conducted by a secure internet vote and via a computerised telephone poll. The primary will be organised and controlled by the Electoral Reform Service though its £30,000 cost will be borne by the party.

Voting in the Primary will be between Thursday 21 January and Thursday 11 February 2010.

George HargreavesChristian Party leader Rev. George Hargreaves who stood in the Western Isles as a SCP candidate for the Western Isles at the last general election pledged the campaign cash saying: “We are in it to win it. “Whoever wins the prize will be well resourced.”

“The £30,000 campaign fund is the maximum allowed under the law and we are spending a similar amount on the Primary."

The successful candidate will have  a rented campaign office at his disposal in a prime spot in Cromwell Street in Stornoway town centre. The party plans to fight the SNP after blaming the Nationalists for launching a controversial Sabbath ferry into Lewis this summer while Sabbath trading is another issue troubling the party. Rev. Hargreaves has stated: 

 

“In 2010 and 2011 the Scottish Christian Party shall run election campaigns based on building on the strengths of the Western Isles, not destroying them. We intend to see the people of the Western Isles united behind it uniqueness, not divided by its diversity.”

 

Mr. Hargreaves also believes that the Calman report could benefit the Scottish islands. He said that the 10 pence (income) tax should be used to advantage for the Western Isles and peripheral islands to attract new business and attract population to the islands

The presence of the Scottish Christian Party in the Western Isles election fight could well upset the two-horse race between the SNP and Labour. It will also impact on any opportunity or desire that there might be for a local Christian to stand as an independent.

murdomurray small1In the 2007 elections for the Scottish Parliament Mr. Murdo Murray, a former Technical Director with Western Isles Council stood as a List Candidate for the SCP.

Mr. Murray participated in a recent on-line discussion regarding the Sunday sailing issue and the wider subject of Christian representation in the political process.

Audio iconIn the course of the discussion Christians Together interviewed Mr. Murray on a range of issues affecting the Western Isles. It is understood that Mr. Murray was not present at a recent public meeting in Stornoway hosted by Rev. Hargreaves.


Christians Together, 24/12/2009

Feedback:
(page   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11)
Peter Carr 25/03/2010 16:58
Well, things are hotting up on the political front now. If ever SCP needed a miracle it is now!
Rosemary Cameron 25/03/2010 20:51
Things may be hotting up but you wouldn't know it from the SCP website, which hasn't changed for quite some time! Not a lot on the Hebrides News website either. What's going on up there in the Western Isles? Who is standing for the SCP in Inverness? De tha dol?
Peter Carr 27/03/2010 07:12
Yes Rosemary, it seems that history is repeating itself!!
R. Ingside (Guest) 14/06/2013 20:21
So, SCP have thrown their hat into the ring for the upcoming Aberdeen Donside bi-election

http://news.stv.tv/north/229112-scottish-christian-party-candidate-wants-to-support-those-in-need/

Is this the best that they can do in terms of their policies? No offence, but the poor chap that they put up doesn't look, or seem too convinced about what he was saying!

I appreciate that it is a democracy and that folks can stand on whatever ticket they choose. However, one would hope that the SCP would appreciate the type of media world in which we live, where charisma and conviction of beliefs go a long way!

It doesn't help either when their candidate for Donside has a go at Christians who choose not to vote (some justify this as part of their beliefs).

A little media coaching goes a long way in our post-modern world SCP!
R. Ingside (Guest) 21/06/2013 06:35
222 votes, less than 1% of the total number (23368) cast at the Aberdeen Donside bi-election on 20/6/13. Time to give up the dream of political influence SCP (and your small band of misled followers)!

Let's face it, we live in a post-Christian culture. Time to get back to the bible folks :)
R.Ingside (Guest) 23/06/2013 22:02
What I would appreciate is if this website would conduct an interview with the SCP candidate for Aberdeen Donside, so that we can hear from his perspective what went wrong.

Here are a few questions for starters;

1. Is there scope for a Christian political party in our post Christian culture?

2. Do you believe that a Christian can be elected on a pro Christian manifesto?

3. Where now for SCP?
Editor 25/06/2013 09:52
Note to R. Ingside: I will contact Tom Morrow and have a chat with him about doing an interview.
R. Ingside (Guest) 25/06/2013 21:20
Thank you
R. Ingside (Guest) 27/06/2013 20:36
How did you get on Editor with the possibility of an interview with the SCP candidate?
Editor 28/06/2013 10:26
Been busy on other things, but still on 'to do' list.
(page   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11)

NOTICE: - The 'Response' facility on most articles is restricted to CT site members. Site members should login here. Comments/questions from non-site members should be sent to the Editor by e-mail.


Christians Together in the Highlands and Islands > Archive > Around the Region > Western Isles > SCP to field candidate in General Election