Little local difficulties
As the UK General Election approaches, the "people's party" in Scotland would appear to be beset by a series of "little local difficulties", to borrow a phrase from Harold Macmillan.
There are murmurs of discontent in Airdrie and Shotts where it is reported that the Labour constituency chair has resigned following the selection of a candidate from an all-women shortlist.
In East Lothian, there is continuing controversy over attempts to oust the sitting MP Anne Moffat as Labour's candidate.
Plus there is the continuing fall-out from the resignation of Steven Purcell as council leader in Glasgow.
The common factor, of course, is power.
Particularly where a single party has been dominant, power tends to be internalised rather than being wielded by the voters.
The key element may become the internal selection among a few - sometimes very few - party members rather than the external choice by the people.
Such a situation can lead to the development of factions, to the exercising of influence by informal networks and to a form of politics which looks inward rather than outwards.
The irony is that Steven Purcell was frequently credited with attempting to counter such forces: to modernise politics in Glasgow, including relations with the unions, to sustain links with the Scottish government, to challenge orthodoxy.
Now Labour's political opponents, the SNP, are urging a wider examination of Mr Purcell's personal behaviour while in office and the exercising of power through sub-groups such as the City Building organisation.
To that end, MP John Mason has approached the police.
In response, Labour is adamant that this is a smear campaign: extrapolating a generalised complaint from an individual, personal tragedy.
As evidence, Labour cites the comments of an SNP internet campaigner who has apologised for comments he made about the death of a young Labour activist Danus McKinlay who was a protégé of Councillor Purcell.
In response, the SNP that says these comments did not reflect the wider view of the party and that a disciplinary process is under way.
Considering the other issues individually, rather than in a collective light, Labour insists that its new candidate in Airdrie and Shotts was endorsed "by some considerable margin".
Rivals say they will let the voters judge.
Turning to East Lothian, Ms Moffat complains that she has faced "bullying" from party colleagues who want to control her.
Her critics stand by their complaints and are content to subject this to a vote of the local party on Friday.
One wonders whether Ms Moffat will regard a negative outcome from that ballot as similarly intimidatory or as a signal to depart.
Back to Supermac who once averred that political careers were dogged by "events, dear boy, events."
Labour is adamant that its overall election preparations and campaign will not be deterred by such developments.
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