It’s a shame we can’t just append that to every Pjen post. Well, probably for the best.
That’s not an editorial piece.
An extremely offensive piece using a totally false and distasteful parallel.
Also contributes to the new Tory myth that somehow the possession of a plurality gives a party the constitutional right to form the next government.
Based on the outcome of the independence vote, for every Pjen there’s 1.2 anti-Pjens fulminating over every conceivably offensive statement made by separatists, while gleefully announcing that the backlash will doom independence.
The Independence vote was nearly six months ago. Each poll since has shown a plurality for Independence (enough to get it passed at a future referendum after the 2016 election) and a considerable majority for something approaching home rule. Additionally the favoured choice of the Scottish people is for a Labour Government supported b the SNP. Those Unionists left are now weak and in the minority with very few supportive of the current settlement or a right wing government.
Through a fluke in the electoral system the SNP look likely to be the deciding factor in the government of the UK for the next decade.
The SNP conference is today taking place in Glasgow (the SNP is now the third largest party in the UK.) Nicola Sturgeon has just laid out her demands for supporting a Labour government; this includes moves to abolishing the House of Lords as a legislative body, less austerity than promised by Labour, increase in minimum and living wage, and considerable further devolution of administrative and tax and spend powers to the Scottish Parliament in an attempt to make real the Vow of virtual home rule promised by the Unionist parties to avoid defeat in the referendum.
She made it clear that the SNP will vote against any potential Tory government and challenged Labour to say whether they would also oppose Tory rule or alternatively to state clearly that they would prefer to allow a Tory minority government rather than bargain with the SNP in forming a left of centre government. This places Miliband in a serious bind- how to decide the issue without offending one or another constituency. If Labour say they would rather a Conservative government than work with the SNP, they will be completely dead in Scotland for a generation. If they agree to consider SNP support then they will have to ensure they can maintain their hold over English seats.
For the SNP there is no bad option.
Interesting times.
Seems like everything you want is inevitable so why are you so intent on convincing us? Just sit back and enjoy the unstoppable march to Scottish Independence.
It is the unstoppable march to independence that should be worrying everyone. As I repeatedly note, I am a reluctant separatist as much as I am a reluctant unionist; I would prefer a federal system approaching home rule.
I suspect that an unusual alliance between extreme nationalists and unthinking unionists may make a rational and mutually beneficial federalisation impossible.
You don’t strike me as being worried about it.
There are seven parliamentary constituencies in Glasgow. If the SNP does indeed win 40+ seats in Scotland, the majority of them will not be in that city.
I would prefer a federal structure with maximum devolution as this would leas to minimum disruption for the whole UK. I suspect that money would be tight in an independent Scotland as we have had no chance to build up a sovereign wealth fund over the past fifty years from Scottish Oil and Gas.
I cannot see the current structure giving any stability over the next decade. We will simply be headed inevitably towards the next referendum.
My hopes would be that the next referendum was not a simple in/out referendum, but a vote for the Scottish people to negotiate an alternative to both unionism and separatism and to stimulate the creation of some sort of federal structure for the whole UK. This would be dependent on both unionists and separatists agreeing to meaningful negotiations in order to avoid total independence.
Either England/rumpUK is for or against the value of Scotland being within a union. If it is for, then it needs to be negotiated what it is to be ‘better together.’ If it is against then we need to make plans for independence.
The main choice is with Unionists- only they can stop separation.
The remarkable fact about the SNP advance is that it is not concentrated and is not related to previous election results. Lord Ashcroft’s polls have looked initially at constituencies that were Labour but voted ‘Yes’ and later constituencies that were Libdem, Conservative or Labour which voted ‘No’. These polls showed that all but four Labour seats are vulnerable, all but one Libdem seats are vulnerable and even my own constituency (Conservative) is vulnerable, at current opinion poll levels.
I actually was thinking of this skit, actually. Kilts being the latest rage and all that.
Unlike the Unionists, Nicola Sturgeon offers an olive branch to the English and other nations in her conference speech:
NICOLA Sturgeon will today issue a “message of friendship and solidarity” to voters outside Scotland – insisting the SNP is now the UK’s party of change.
The First Minister will use a keynote speech at the SNP conference to tell voters south of the Border they have nothing to fear from Scottish Nationalists holding the balance of power after the election.
…
“To people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, I make this promise – the SNP stands ready to work with you in making that positive change,” Ms Sturgeon will say.
…
She will say: “To ordinary people across these islands who feel just as let down by the out-of-touch Westminster system as we do, I have a very clear message.
“It is a message of friendship and solidarity.
“As long as Scotland remains part of the Westminster system, we will be your allies in seeking to shake up and reform that outdated and discredited system once and for all.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/sturgeon-promise-to-england-i-can-make-uk-better-1-3731665
From the Herald yesterday.
They point out that should the SNP surge be Bourne out:
1/ The SNP would be eligible for a million pounds of Short Money as a member of the opposition
2/ Seats on every Committee, chairing some.
3/ Two questions a week at PMQ
4/ Guaranteed right of reply to Government statements.
Is that an SNP advert?
Wow, with Jason on their side they can’t lose.
5/ Free parking at the Stop N’ Shop
6/ Discount kippers in bulk
7/ A chance to be revolving hosts on Top Gear
8/ A Glasgow kiss from Ronda Rousey
Perhaps you do not understand that with such representation on committees and on the floor of the house, goes an ability to analyse, effect and delay government business. Should a National Government or Grand Coalition be formed, the SNP would become the official opposition and might find it difficult to fill all the posts available to it. And the amount of Short money would become ridiculous under current procedures.
It is lucky there is now a rallying against the evil english union even here, to support the terrible reluctance of independence promotion.