SNP win overall majority in Scottish parliament elections

[Touring Mars]

The SNP have secured an overall majority in the devolved Scottish parliament for the first time... the SNP are surely now going to bring forward a referendum on independence, although I personally don't think that today's result is an indication that Scotland is ready to vote 'Yes' to independence...

Still, it's potentially a historic day for UK politics.

 

[PeterJB]

It would interesting if they got Independence. If Wales and Northern Ireland were to do the same then the British Empire would be back to square one!

 

[Famine]

We'll still have Wessex. And Canada.

Frankly, it'd be lovely if Scotland could become independent - it's getting quite tiresome having Scottish MPs influencing UK policy which then doesn't apply to Scotland. If we're going to maintain a UK parliament, it needs to apply to all of the UK. Either keep a UK-wide (federal?) parliament and devolved territorial (state?) governments including an English assembly as well or ditch the UK parliament altogether.

 

[Aldo]

Frankly, if we go independent at the moment, we are screwed... Financially.
I think...

 

[Touring Mars]

It could really shake things up if the SNP succeed in building the "Irn (Bru) curtain" (thanks Mark ), although I can't see it happening any time soon. The SNP will probably wait until near the end of the current term before holding the referendum - indeed, they have already said today that such a referendum will take place 'in the latter half' of this term (yeh, like a week before the next election probably!)...

-

I just wish politicians would get real and be honest about their results. The Lib Dems leader in Scotland, whatshisname, just said the results were 'disappointing', blah, blah, blah... disappointing?!?!? I'd hate to see what he considered calamitous! Why can't they just be genuine about it, and come to face the cameras, whisky in hand, bloodshot-eyed, and ranting about how the Scottish electorate are a bunch of bastards and that the Lib Dems didn't deserve such a complete routing? No constituency seats in mainland Scotland... sorry, but ... that is nigh on impossible, but somehow they managed it.

 

[RacerPaul]

The SNP have secured an overall majority in the devolved Scottish parliament for the first time... the SNP are surely now
going to bring forward a referendum on independence, although I personally don't think that today's result is an indication
that Scotland is ready to vote 'Yes' to independence...

Still, it's potentially a historic day for UK politics.

Sorry, but scotland couldn't stand on its own two feet financially. What is it a year you get from England, 17billion? I stand to
be corrected on the amount, but its a biggie

Again, sorry but true independance for scotland is merely a pipedream talked up over a few drams, slagging off the sassenachs

ps. Just googled for the amount, and the first thing on the list said 'at least 11 billion'. How would scotland plug that gap if they
were to be truly independant?

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the scots, welsh and northern irish per se, but its just unrealistic that they could be
truly independant of the English at this point in time

 

[daan]

But how much do Scots contribute in taxes to the UK government that we would be able to keep if we were independent?

 

[RacerPaul]

I don't know, tell me

 

[GilesGuthrie]

The economics of an independent Scotland is an interesting question. Certainly, supporting our extensive rural communities is very expensive. However, Scotland is a major financial powerhouse, and continues to contribute significant revenues in primary and tertiary industries.

The thing that interests me about the Scottish election result is that the electorate is showing a clear disaffection for Labour and the Liberal Democrats, but continues to feel unable to vote Conservative. This, to me, is contradictory. Most Scots wish to take control of their own destiny, want a government that preserves law & order without being intrusive, and want an economic system that allows them to enjoy the fruits of their labours.

And yet, there's an over-riding feeling that the Conservative party will shaft them. This distrust of the party that is most closely aligned with their views is causing a swing to the Nationalists that is little more than a plea for change.

Having experienced the Scottish Parliament more closely than most, my impression is of a schoolyard. There's little that's intrinsically wrong with the SP, but it probably needs another two decades to settle into its role in the governance of Scotland. One of the reasons that the SNP has prospered in yesterday's poll is that more of its members have significant experience of working in parliament than other parties, whose staff are more politically junior.

Finally, I support Famine's notion of an English parliament. I do not see why Scottish MPs should be voting on devolved matters in Westminster.

 

[Robin]

If Scotland goes independent what happens to the Union Jack? Does it legally cease to exist and everywhere in England will only officially fly the St Georges Cross?

 

[PeterJB]

St. George with a Red Dragon in the middle

 

[daan]

I don't know, tell me

I don't know either, but I'm sure that a fair chunk of that 11 billion is supplied by us, which would mean that any discrepancy is not as large as you're indicating. In sasying that, I'm sure that we would still struggle to support ourselves if we went independent.

 

[jackargent]

The thing that interests me about the Scottish election result is that the electorate is showing a clear disaffection for Labour and the Liberal Democrats, but continues to feel unable to vote Conservative. This, to me, is contradictory. Most Scots wish to take control of their own destiny, want a government that preserves law & order without being intrusive, and want an economic system that allows them to enjoy the fruits of their labours.

Those of us old enough to remember Margaret Thatcher & her impact on Scotland - presiding over the destruction of our traditional industries then using us as a testing ground for the poll tax will never vote conservative, no matter how fluffy & cuddly they appear to become.

 

[Famine]

You'd never vote for them based on the label attached to them rather than the policies they espouse? Even a Conservative Party that catered to your every whim wouldn't receive your vote because they call themselves "the Conservative Party"?

Sounds odd.

 

[Tired Tyres]

I wonder what kind of turnout would be acceptable in a referendum for independence?

 

[Keef]

We'll still have Wessex. And Canada.

Frankly, it'd be lovely if Scotland could become independent - it's getting quite tiresome having Scottish MPs influencing UK policy which then doesn't apply to Scotland. If we're going to maintain a UK parliament, it needs to apply to all of the UK. Either keep a UK-wide (federal?) parliament and devolved territorial (state?) governments including an English assembly as well or ditch the UK parliament altogether.

Interesting federal/state idea. That is, if ya'll are okay with tossing national pride out the window for something larger and safer, but with states still distinct from each other. Hey, it worked for us.

 

[Sureboss]

Yeah, no national pride in America!

 

[billalba]

Of course Scotland should vote independence to those Scots who say we can't afford to be independent, most scots don't believe the propoganda anymore infact even Westminster acknowledges that we have been in surplus for years.....If you have the inclination for facts instead of propoganda do an internet search for "The McCrone report" it is a Westminster document that has been kept secret for 30 years and now released under a foi request.
Please also note that Scotland is very rich in other areas not just oil.
The Englishman who thinks there is a democratic deficit now that Scotland has its own parliament Yes there is, please campaign for an English parliament but remember Scotland has for the most part never voted for the government we have had to put up with and Westminster which still has more power of Scotland has only 1 tory MP.

 

[Shaun]

Those of us old enough to remember Margaret Thatcher & her impact on Scotland - presiding over the destruction of our traditional industries then using us as a testing ground for the poll tax will never vote conservative, no matter how fluffy & cuddly they appear to become.

Yep, she's one of the reasons my parents packed us up as a family and moved to Australia.

Interesting federal/state idea. That is, if ya'll are okay with tossing national pride out the window for something larger and safer, but with states still distinct from each other. Hey, it worked for us.

Not sure on the levels of government in the UK at the moment, it's a long time since I've been back there.
Here in Australia we have Federal/State/Local governments (councils) and quite frankly it's a joke. We would have to be one of the most overgoverned countries in the world.
Voting is compulsory in Australia and more often than not once you get down to voting at local level, you're lucky if you even know what they stand for.
The politicians now a days are what I call professional politicians, meaning unlike in years gone by they just tow the party line and bow to big business instead of representing their constituents, so they can collect their preposterous retirement package after a short amount of time.

An example of the current muppets we have running the show.
Currently the analogue tv signal is being switched off in phases, in their wisdom so people who are on a pension can continue to use their old tv's they have implemented a scheme to supply and install a set top box for $400 a pop. For goodness sake a STB costs around $39 here. It would be cheaper to supply the pensioners a new TV.
Sorry for the rant.

Back on topic as a Scotsman viewing from far away I would like to see the Scots gain full independence if they could support themselves. Not due to any dislike or animosity towards the English but I think it's better to have control of your own destiny.

Cheers Shaun.