Scottish Politics Thread

Seeing as various aspects of Scottish Politics keep on raising their little heads on ARRSE, I thought why not just one combined thread.
Obviously with the prospect of the SNP being potential kingmakers at the General Election in May 2015 and then the Scottish Election in 2016, there's a fair amount to discuss as well as the current issues over the NHS and consensual Police stop and search.

So, for starters,
Should polling showing a 25 point swing to the SNP be taken seriously?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-31131170

 

I suspect that the 45 are joined in their voting intention whilst the other 55 will be split amongst the other parties.

Divide and rule will be proven true.

 

I went to a "Burns Night" ! Just saying!

 

Only a thousand pages? Are you serious? You think it's going to be that short once the Kevin and Andy Show starts?

But, seriously, before people start wetting their knickers at the SNP being some sort of "kingmaker", the one thing that will play a bigger part in the result will be the turnout. Traditionally, in elections, the SNP have scored around 20-25% of the electorate, or lower. A lower turnout where their supporters make up the most of voters, see 2011 SP elections with a 50% turnout, could result in the "swing" the polls suggest. A high turnout, however, could easily return many more votes to Labour which would kybosh the "surge".

Why do I say that? Well, plenty people I know voted "Yes" (despite, like many, not realising what they were voting for) BUT had the intent to vote Labour in the 2016 Scottish Elections. We've even seen some here say that openly in the now-defunct Independence thread. So if that thought is continued, the SNP might not get what they believe they will get, and once Scottish Labour start the inevitable "Vote SNP, get more Evil Tory cuts forever" that may have an effect on the polls too.

Personally, I'm going to wait until it's closer to the day before saying X, Y or Z will happen, the situation is still too fluid. Don't get me wrong, the destruction of any hope of Labour gaining power in the UK again is something that appeals to me, but the thought of the Socialist Numpty Party having any real sway in the national Government is one that should terrify anyone with two brain cells to rub together.

 

The SNP are already celebrating the victory they haven't had. The more they gloat at poll results, the more they haver, the more certain voters will vote anyone but SNP.

I'm amazed at the SNP being so believing of a 'Tory' poll. Had it predicted failure for them, they would have been frothing at the mouth. Think the permanently angry Peter Wishart.

 

Interestingly enough if you listen to the various politicians speaking on Radio Scotland both Tories and Labour do seem quite concerned and both make contradictory claims.
Week before last, Murphy was spouting "vote SNP, and it will see the Tories in power", whilst within half an hour, Davidson was going on about voting SNP will put Labour in power with them.

 

Just for your other specialist subject
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-31292941

 

Yes, the snow came early in Scotland.Bit late in Europe ok now though.Thanks for link.

 

Welcome to the world of politics. After all, there are enough seats up for grabs to make people speak in tongues.

Labour don't want to lose their share in Scotland as, simply, they would likely be unable to gain a majority in the HoC without the seats from Scotland and the Tories would love to get some of the pie north of the border to reduce the Labour "lead" there. Add in the potential threat from UKIP south of the border and it's clear why both cheeks are "concerned" and want Scottish votes.

It's hardly rocket science, after all.

 

Will it be safe or wise for the SNP to completely dominate the political spectrum in Scotland?

Look at the huge majority Blair got and what he got up too. That was with a credible opposition..

Who will hold them to account in the Scots parliament?

 

The same people who do now.

Oh, hang on.........

 

OK, here is my POV as it stands today, it will be interesting (to me anyway) to see how, if, it changes much over the next couple of months in the lead up to the GE.

I think SNP will do very well out of the GE but not as well as they predict; Labour will do badly, but not as badly as predicted. Tories will retain their one seat, even if they have a poor candidate. I heard a commentator last night saying Jim Murphy is in a win-win situation; anything bad is blamed on before his time, anything good is because he is now in charge! It also said that he is looking at the Scottish GE in 2016, so have Labour written off this election as un-winnable?

I am particularly surprised at the Tories not capitalising on the Scottish Referendum. They won, yet did nothing at all to build on that. They are now the only right of centre party in Scotland (UKIP are not major contenders really) and the only choice for people not wanting a Socialist government. I think they should push on that and, while I realise that Scotland as a Nation are left of centre, they should be hoovering up any votes of people not liking SNP/Labour policies.

Prediction: SNP will win handsomely in Scotland but not wipe out Labour. Labour will lose dreadfully and will become a Party of Weegies with the occasional Dundonian nutter and maybe a leavening of Edinburgh MSPs to bring some panache to their Party! The fight for 2016 has commenced and the GE in May is just another poll to be considered. The Scottish GE of 2016 will therefore be a west versus east fight between SNP and Labour!

Happy days.

 

I'm (selfishly) looking forward to APD being reduced or scrapped up here. I say selfishly because it won't be good for Newcastle airport.
Plus it'll be interesting to see how they back down over fracking after the general election. I don't think the SNP are that stupid to keep the lid on it indefinitely.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Given that the high profile ‘vow’ made by pro-union party leaders in the final days of the referendum had no impact (Recent research - http://www.scotsman.com/ ) on the final result, the SNP will increase their share of the vote in the forthcoming GE, especially in Glasgow and Dundee, and Labour will suffer a slight loss of votes but it will be a lot closer than the SNipS are predicting.

On fracking, you will see a climbdown from the SNP soon especially when Ineos seriously start to think about closing down Grangemouth