Dear citizens of Edina, and indeed the wider Scottish electorate. I have taken the bold decision to once again enter the race for a salaried seat in Scotland’s premier public office. While my candidacy is rooted in the capital, my call for Participatory Disruption is addressed to all of Scotland.
Many of you will be aware of my assault on Holyrood 5 years ago, when I threw myself into the political mixer to challenge carpetbagging careerist Angus Robertson for a slice of the public purse and the bragging rights to Edinburgh Central.
2021’s David and Goliath campaign of perpetual provocation and considerable amusement returned a vote tally that genuinely delighted me, but ultimately the old order returned victorious. A combination of conditioned ballot-box habits and an unfounded fear of “splitting” the independence vote meant a number of souls sympathetic to my nomination ultimately declined to endorse my candidacy.
5 years on, and where have we found ourselves? A country crumbling at the seams, an independence movement in tatters, a capital city deliberately divorced from her own people, and the man who stole my crown, the failed Culture Secretary Angus Robertson, tarnished for eternity for taking the Deputy Ambassador of Zionist genocide on an open-top bus tour and a haggis supper at L’Alba D’Oro.
Last time, it was only the good people of Edinburgh Central who were eligible to vote for me. This time, I am also on the regional list, which means EVERYONE in the city and East Lothian could lend me their vote.
But why vote at all? I understand that argument perfectly. The problem is, so do the neoliberal political class and media class, and that is what they rely on: you NOT voting.
This is why I am advocating a campaign of “Participatory Disruption”.
I believe that by registering to vote, and either endorsing an independent candidate, voting for a small party, or defacing your ballot with a message or drawing of your choice, we can begin to disrupt the system’s complacent entitlement to managed democracy.
Whether you vote for me, somebody else, or no one at all, I implore you to register and participate. Your ballot will still be counted, and it will still be seen by the candidates and counting officers. I have outlined the failures of the system and my proposal for a campaign of Participatory Disruption in my recent guest speech at the Workers Party Campaign launch.
You can register to vote here.
And if you want a wee reminder of my previous attempt to gain entry to Holyrood, in slightly less serious times, then check out this compilation of my 2021 campaign.
Respect to yourselves
Bob
*If you would like to assist with the inherent costs of campaigning - then please donate to Discontent.
