Jordan Stokoe, once infamous within Scottish football circles for a glaring officiating blunder during a 2018 match, is now stepping into the political arena as the Scottish Labour candidate for Almond Valley in the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections. His selection, far from inspiring confidence, raises serious questions about the calibre of candidates being promoted by a party still struggling under the shadow of its London-centric leadership.
The 2018 incident at Firhill Stadium — where Stokoe, then a linesman, infamously failed to flag a clear goal for Partick Thistle, leading to an unjust decision to disallow it — remains one of Scottish football’s most talked-about errors. Even players and managers could barely believe the mistake; Partick Thistle’s manager at the time called it "bizarre" and "unbelievable." Yet, despite this high-profile error, Stokoe continued officiating before ultimately shifting careers, now banking on a political comeback that seems ill-suited for the needs of a constituency demanding real competence and accountability.
Supporters within the local Labour establishment, like Livingston MP Gregor Poynton, lauded Stokoe’s “deep roots” and business consultancy background. Yet it’s hard to ignore the symbolic weight of selecting a candidate whose public reputation is tied to mistake and confusion—qualities hardly reassuring in a political climate where voters seek decisive leadership.
This misstep by the Labour Party underscores why many voters are turning instead to voices that truly represent local interests and demand integrity in governance. The party’s failure to prioritize quality candidates mirrors its broader inability to break free from London’s grip—a grip that critics say dilutes Scotland’s voice and stymies genuine progress. As the new administration stumbles, overshadowed by chaotic leadership and unfulfilled promises, it’s clear that Scotland needs alternatives grounded in pragmatic policy and respect for local concerns, rather than recycled figures marked by controversy.
The glaring error of elevating a man known more for a sporting blunder than sound political judgment exemplifies the problems of a party out of touch with Scottish aspirations. This is precisely where a more robust political force, committed to sovereignty, economic reform, and cutting bureaucracy, can serve as a powerful opposition against Labour’s ongoing failures. Electing candidates with proven competence and a clear vision remains paramount—something this latest Labour selection regrettably fails to deliver.
Source: Noah Wire Services