SNP. Why Are They Thriving?

[Anchorman]

Scotland is NOT a new country.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Prof,

Oh most definitely Edinbugger centric, already is, it is where the money goes to, Edinburgh needs no begging bowl.

But then the argument is should we beg from Holyrood or Westminster, one bunch of crooks versus another bunch of crooks.

Better to be robbed by my own than some foreigner.

Is it me who is small minded!!

Gonnagle

[King Oberon]

I'm with you Gonners better the devil you know...

At least we could vote them in or out rather than just have to accept whoever Southern England vote in (for themselves).

The problem with UK politics is that it's institutionalised and that's were the corruption comes from. Labour and the Tories (and those other ones) have to many old school boy networks and to many ties with business to be otherwise.

I think it would take a good few centuries for and Independent Scotland to get to that stage. Not only that but at least we would have a chance to try and get it right which unless there is a miracle will never happen in Westminster.

If nothing else the introduction of UKIP and the SNP at least give them a fright and something else to think about other than how many shares in fracking companies they can buy before they try and push it through (not in their backyard of course!).

I actually am not that bothered about the no vote as I still think at least we have the SNP fighting our corner (despite the media vilification which makes them stronger) there are no other Scottish based parties to vote for. 

[ProfessorDavey]

Scotland is NOT a new country.

It would be in terms of independence under international law.

Currently Scotland is not a sovereign state under international law - it is part of the sovereign state that is the UK - I thought you'd understand that, as you seem to be so keen on independence.

[Hope]

I think it would take a good few centuries for and Independent Scotland to get to that stage. Not only that but at least we would have a chance to try and get it right which unless there is a miracle will never happen in Westminster.

I thought it had been happening in Scotland for as long as Scotland's had democracy.

... there are no other Scottish based parties to vote for. 

There was another one until recently.  It was called 'Labour'.   

[jakswan]

The trouble with Westminster is its full of Scots.

[King Oberon]

Well you should have a referendum if you don't like it Jakswan.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Rabbac,

If nothing else the introduction of UKIP and the SNP at least give them a fright and something else to think about other than how many shares in fracking companies they can buy before they try and push it through (not in their backyard of course!).

A fright, I don't know if you Independence voters have notice but you have not only given them a fright you have also woken them up, brought them back to reality, this is a great victory for the SNP, people all over the United Kingdom are now sitting up and taking notice, even if it is just to say "bloody Scots".

It has been a steady decline for Westminster, first we had a coalition government, then we have UKIP rearing its ugly head ( oh and this is not just a English disease, many Scots if not voting for UKIP think similar thoughts ) and then the SNP giving them a nose bleed.

But the simple fact remains, we voted NO, Nicole Sturgeon should now get on and start thinking what is best for Scotland, all Scotland not just the Brave Hearts who voted for Independence.

Gonnagle.

[jakswan]

Well you should have a referendum if you don't like it Jakswan.

The Scots already did, they said remain British.

[Hope]

A fright, I don't know if you Independence voters have notice but you have not only given them a fright you have also woken them up, brought them back to reality, this is a great victory for the SNP, people all over the United Kingdom are now sitting up and taking notice, even if it is just to say "bloody Scots".

A friend of mine suggested that perhaps the SNP and UKIP might go into coalition.  When I asked why, he said that they both seem to want to withdraw their respective nations from Europe     I can understand where he was coming from.

It has been a steady decline for Westminster, first we had a coalition government, ...

Not sure how coalition government is a decline, Gonners.  What's more, both Scotland and Wales beat Westminster to coalition government in recent years.  The Scottish Parliament had a Labour/Lib Dem Coalition for its first 2 terms (1999-2007); the Welsh Assembly had a Labour/Lib Dem coalition for its first term (1999-2003) and a Labour/Plaid Cymru coalition in its third term (2007-11)

... then we have UKIP rearing its ugly head ( oh and this is not just a English disease, many Scots if not voting for UKIP think similar thoughts ) and then the SNP giving them a nose bleed.

Currently UKIP only have a couple of MPs.  The ugly head will only really have reared if they win these and others at the election.

But the simple fact remains, we voted NO, Nicole Sturgeon should now get on and start thinking what is best for Scotland, all Scotland not just the Brave Hearts who voted for Independence.

The problem that I see with NS (and hence with the SNP) is that she thinks that she can dictate to the rest of the UK, by trying to get into bed with one of the larger parties.

[Hope]

Well you should have a referendum if you don't like it Jakswan.

The Scots already did, they said remain British.

They also said, by implication, that they want to stay in Europe!!

[Gonnagle]

Dear Hope,

The problem that I see with NS (and hence with the SNP) is that she thinks that she can dictate to the rest of the UK, by trying to get into bed with one of the larger parties.

Much as I would like to debate your whole post but I will stick to the above comment.

SNP, Nicole Sturgeon is not trying to get into bed with anyone, they don't have to, they don't need or want anyone else, they are a force to be recognised in this country, Labour at present are not worth writing about, maybe the Tories have picked up a few more voters but it is the other parties that want to sleep with SNP.

After the next general election if a politician in Scotland wants to blow his nose he will have to ask Nicole Sturgeon for a hankie first.

Gonnagle.

[jakswan]

SNP, Nicole Sturgeon is not trying to get into bed with anyone, they don't have to, they don't need or want anyone else, they are a force to be recognised in this country, Labour at present are not worth writing about, maybe the Tories have picked up a few more voters but it is the other parties that want to sleep with SNP.

Such a force yet such a massive minority will vote for them. Lets no overplay it, there is zero chance of a coalition a good chance of a deal on a case by case basis which if that is the way the votes go would be fine imho.

[Hope]

SNP, Nicole Sturgeon is not trying to get into bed with anyone, they don't have to, they don't need or want anyone else, they are a force to be recognised in this country, ...

If that is the case, why is Sturgeon saying that Labour will only get into No 10 if they do a deal with the SNP, Gonners?

... but it is the other parties that want to sleep with SNP.

Quite agree, especially UKIP   

[Anchorman]

Interesting analysis of Nicola's speech in the light of the rise of SNP influence from a non-biased perspective here:
http://theconversation.com/why-nicola-sturgeons-london-speech-deserves-to-be-taken-seriously-38878?utm_content=buffera6bfb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

[Jack Knave]

I was thinking that it could be so close at the GE, with greens, UKIP, LibDems having less seats than the SNP put together that the SNP could hold sway who ever walks through No.10.

[King Oberon]

The Scots already did, they said remain British.

Woosh..... obviously the humor went over your head 

[King Oberon]

But the simple fact remains, we voted NO, Nicole Sturgeon should now get on and start thinking what is best for Scotland, all Scotland not just the Brave Hearts who voted for Independence.

The simple fact remains.. you voted no not me 

I'm sure Nic will also consider you "not so Brave Hearts" when she is doing what's best for Scotland have no fear 

[King Oberon]

I can understand where he was coming from.

WHAT?? Common now hope even the most ardent unionist can see that the SNP are NOTHING like UKIP there is no chance of having a coalition with the loony party, thats absurd I'm afraid.

The problem that I see with NS (and hence with the SNP) is that she thinks that she can dictate to the rest of the UK, by trying to get into bed with one of the larger parties.

That's how politics work Hope? The SNP are in the main a left wing party so they are likely to work with Labour/Lib-dems to push some of their policies through for Scotland and help other parties to push through their own left wing policies that affect the UK.

Unlike the Lib-dems they have ruled out going right wing with the tories (or UKIP) hence why labour won't rule working with us. 

[King Oberon]

Such a force yet such a massive minority will vote for them.

According to estimates reported by the BBC in January 2015 for party membership, Conservative 149,800 members, Labour Party 190,000, SNP 93,000, Libs 44,000 Greens 44,000, UKIP 42,000 so twice as big as 3 parties and their membership is ONLY in Scotland, not to bad for a massive minority 

It's fun to see the continued rise of the SNP is really annoying the no voters (north and south), their denials of things changed forever give me a laugh 

Not as amusing as a labour wipeout in the GE and the Scottish Elections will be though.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Rabbac,

I'm sure Nic will also consider you "not so Brave Hearts" when she is doing what's best for Scotland have no fear 

fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Gonnagle.

[jakswan]

Such a force yet such a massive minority will vote for them.

According to estimates reported by the BBC in January 2015 for party membership, Conservative 149,800 members, Labour Party 190,000, SNP 93,000, Libs 44,000 Greens 44,000, UKIP 42,000 so twice as big as 3 parties and their membership is ONLY in Scotland, not to bad for a massive minority 

It's fun to see the continued rise of the SNP is really annoying the no voters (north and south), their denials of things changed forever give me a laugh 

Not as amusing as a labour wipeout in the GE and the Scottish Elections will be though.

Confused about votes and members?

I think the SNP's rise is very exciting! Who is denying change?

[King Oberon]

I think the SNP's rise is very exciting! Who is denying change?

Super.. something we can agree on then 

[wigginhall]

I agree that it's exciting.  I'm just dreading the Tories again. 

[Rhiannon]

I'm dreading labour as well though.