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I'm in the Highlands and will be voting snp on both ballots. It's all about independence for me otherwise I would be voting for Andy Wightman on the list.
Yes yes I know, but the principle for it in the unemployed will amount to the same thing, as it has done an a regular basis for the last 40 years.
No it would not amount to the same thing, by default that would be something else.
Anyway, just voted.
I’m in the Highlands and will be voting snp on both ballots. It’s all about independence for me otherwise I would be voting for Andy Wightman on the list.
Andy is pro-indy isn't he? Or do you mean you don't expect him to get enough votes and so your vote is better placed where it might have an effect?
I'll be going later on with 17 yr old son. I've no idea which way he is going to vote, but despite not being overly interested in politics he has a far better understanding of the parties and the voting system than most people 4x his age!
I'll probably be voting, begrudgingly, for the usual SNP/Green.
Why begrudgingly? Because for the last 14 years the SNP has done nothing for the local area in terms of tangible job creation and any efforts that are made get shot down thanks to their community empowerment policies with cheerleading from the Greens, usually that wee fanny Greer. Granted the first proposal for a biomass power station was completely flawed (imported wood and coal mix) but we've had wind turbines, oil rig decommissioning, industrial parks etc. proposed that the vocal minority get shot down every time.
They've had 14 years to prepare for the end of decommissioning in Hunterston A and the end of operations in Hunterston B, the closure of Hunterston terminal and nothing. Not a single job. Clark, Baroness of Kilwinning [nae luck] (Labour MP), Gibson, K (SNP MSP), Gibson P (SNP MP) and the host of list MSP's of all colours have done nothing to facilitate the transition. You'd think those so vocally critical of Thatcher would be less like her but there you go.
So I'm having a hard time giving any of them my vote, either way it means the status quo of one government or another giving not a single shit about the area. I don't expect my vote would make much difference so I'm equally inclined to just spoil it instead as none of them are fit for office IMO.
Failing to reform council tax (and therefore council funding) is probably my biggest criticism of the SNP – I don’t know why they ditched it as it used to be a policy – but I suspect they will blame WM for not being willing to adapt council tax relief for those on benefits to a new system!
They are trying to accumulate votes for indyref2, any change as substantial as changing council tax makes lots of losers who may then turn away from you. The change may be needed but whilst the SNP are riding high in the polls they are focused on independence and anything that acts as a distraction is dumped. UK gov is no different on this issue revaluation or a change in system keeps getting picked into the long grass.
I suspect there would be more concern about mass migration of 55/60 year olds from England using it as an early retirement plan! Clearly whilst the idea is that there are no eligibility criteria, there would need to be some way to avoid it being exploited.
I thought the SNP were pro migration? Would Welsh and NI and Republic of Ireland be excluded?
@poly Yes Andy supports independence. I am voting both votes snp because I believe the best chance of an indy referendum lies in getting a majority of the popular vote for one single party that proposes it. I am worried that Andy might get squeezed out between those the SNP and the Greens.I don't think getting a majority of pro indy msps in Holyrood by tactical voting on the list is valid without getting a majority of the popular vote. Therefore I won't be voting Alba, Green, ISP, or for Andy Wightman. It's the last one that particularly sticks in my craw as I support most of the policies Andy has proposed and on top of that he is "a man o independent mind " which we really need in Holyrood.
Just to be clear I don't think that those who support ALBA or are splitting their votes with the Greens, Andy Wightman, or ISP are necessarily any more or less committed to independence than I am.
I thought the SNP were pro migration? Would Welsh and NI and Republic of Ireland be excluded?
@big_n_daft - 1. Its a Scottish Green policy not an SNP one. 2. Both Scottish Green and SNP are pro-migration; you can be pro-migration without necessarily offering a free for all on your benefits system or any UBI; 3. Of course any limitations would be not just on the English - but I was thinking particularly of people in the N of England who could otherwise be very incentivised to move a very short distance to "cash in".
In the unlikely event that the Green's end up with enough seats to actually get this on the table then clearly there are issues to be discussed / finalised. I note that they suggest negotiating it with the WM govt even without Indy. I think if they were in a position to make that happen they'd be in a position to push Indy forward too and it would probably make sense to make those sort of changes together; a major overhaul of Tax, Benefits would actually be an argument to delay indy and see if this new approach was addressing (m)any of the issues that make people want to break free.
I’ll probably be voting, begrudgingly, for the usual SNP/Green.
God for you, that is your choice afterall.
Think I'll probably stick to voting for the Scottish Conservatives, A leopard can't change it's spots and you always get that with the Tories.
Poly, put the kettle on 😕
I went tactical with SNP/Green
Would rather have a Green government but that is currently unlikely. And while I should just vote for them if that's what I really want (adds to their credibility) instead of tactically voting (that weird chicken/egg thing) last time I did that I ended up with Ruth bloody Davidson!
Remember, if you don’t like the SNP then the best way to get rid of them is to vote overwhelmingly for them. And back that up by voting “Wur offski- see yaz” in the following independence poll.
Post independence there will be no SNP to worry about.
Maybe.
Anyway, we’ve got Borris and his English nationalists to try to deal with down here whatever the country of my birth chooses.
(Scots born, English dwelling, remainer, formerly anti/independence but I can kind of see the argument now)
Both Scottish Green and SNP are pro-migration; you can be pro-migration without necessarily offering a free for all on your benefits system or any UBI;
I'm not sure getting taxed to pay for a UBI or benefits system you don't qualify for is an attractive offer to potential migrants....
Anyway, we’ve got Borris and his English nationalists to try to deal with down here whatever the country of my birth chooses.
You can move back and vote to make Scotland independent if you want. Must be awful to live in a country run in part by ex-pat Scots
Big_n_daft stirring up the 💩 again. To
Oh I dunno, I find it interesting BnD thinks anyone GAF that Scots have played numerous often senior roles at Westminster, as if it makes any difference at all.
I just found it an odd statement full stop. Perhaps I didn’t understand it properly. Maybe I’m not bright enough.
That said, the English have often done well under Scots management. Look at English football’s champions over the years - not many over the last 30 years managed by English types. Westminster has definitely gone downhill since the English took over. 😜
I think I digress though.
The in-laws have turned up at ours and announced they both voted tory.
I've had to leave the room and come upstairs before I end up losing the rag
I mean, our local one seems like a decent guy but..
...nah.
Still, I'd vote for him before that piece of shit Fransen.
How did you vote on the Scottish elections Big n daft? Oh wait...
piece of shit Fransen.
I'm a lover, no a fighter, but I'd happily punch that cow.
Wee Nicky dropped the mike on her though. "We will let the people of Govanhill decide shall we?"
Indeed the best way of shutting Fransen down. Well played Nicola.
And well done Sarwar for backing her.
Both did well there.
PS - take note Gordon Brown, when confronted with a bigot, call them out and stand by it.
I see fannybaws got 36 votes. I'd round them up and hunt them anaw.
Interesting it looks like a high turnout also people thinking about their list vote. I do think that too many politicians underestimate the canniness of the scots voters. We have got used to complex systems and using different votes in different ways
Which particular one Nobeer?
Ah - that one!
Magic! Finally got rid of that smug Tory bastard John Scott! 💃🕺🤸
I have to apologize for those around me. Although rather hope mopheid crows and that'll get some backs up.
Con loses Edinburgh Central to SNP by 4,732 votes
Yes.
So pleased Moray staying SNP, with a slight increase too. Gutted when we voted that plonker Ross in at the GE
SNP half-way to winning an outright majority - if you listened to the BBC you'd think they were losing, the bias of the reporting is excruciating. The way they've called some of the results you'd think the Tories were winning.
Greens predicted to increase as well.
Greens haven't won any seats yet according to BBC news article...how many seats have they got just now?
I think they'll gain them from the list seats
Greens have IIRC 6 right now but predicted to double that maybe - all off the list.
The in-laws have turned up at ours and announced they both voted tory.
I’ve had to leave the room and come upstairs before I end up losing the rag
see this kind of encapsulates one of the main things that puts me off anything snp so much - the extreme reaction and polarisation with regards anyone who doesn't comply, to the point of near violence it seems. I don't give a hoot who anyone else votes for and anyone should feel safe and comfortable with voting for whoever they want and not be judged for it or worse by anyone.
come on you greeeeeens
Anyone who votes Labour, Tory or the other Unionist parties is really voting for more Tory Sleaze & Corruption IMO.
True dat
see this kind of encapsulates one of the main things that puts me off anything snp so much – the extreme reaction and polarisation with regards anyone who doesn’t comply, to the point of near violence it seems
I read that more as who the inlaws did vote for as opposed to who they didn't vote for and in the West of Scotland for someone who grew up in the 80's it is understandable (losing the rag that is (violence was only mentioned by you))
so over all a rather dull Scottish election. NO major changes, no major upsets. One thing I do find interesting and pleasing is all the fringe nutters got tiny votes and Salmond failed miserably. Lots of tactical voting both ways - not just unionist as the papers would have you believe
roll on indyref 2
If there is a referendum I predict a 52/48 result (not sure which way). Will then have same issue as Brexit where it is so marginal that the outcome doesn't seem right based on the 48% who didn't want it.
so over all a rather dull Scottish election. NO major changes, no major upsets.
So that's and end to
roll onindyref 2 for now
Ftfy 😉
Kerley is spot on. Nothing conclusive, as ever. Just
enough to put whatever spin on it that you want
If there is a referendum I predict a 52/48 result (not sure which way). Will then have same issue as Brexit where it is so marginal that the outcome doesn’t seem right based on the 48% who didn’t want it.
I think you are probably right. I would like to see independence happen but I'd want it to happen after a decisive vote. For me the vote would be made compulsory and the result would need to be 60/40 before independence happened. Brexit was horrible in many ways but the fact that it happened on such a tiny mandate made it orders of magnitude worse. We are better than that. And if it does not happen for 20 odd years or more because of needing a clear majority in favour I'll be disappointed but would go along with it. That does not mean I don't want a referendum and the precursor debate now or in the very near future mind.