The Referendum. SNP. Tories. Independence. Etc.

[woody]

I also agree with what Shug said - which must make it all the more frustrating for the level-headed Yes voters.

Another (far less inportant) fact which tickled me was the amount of yessers who felt the need to sticker up (not just window, but full body panels) their cars, and have the flags etc fluttering from the windows....didn't see any No stickers other than the odd small window job.

Joanna's Farming Uncle spelled out 'No' in old tyres in the field below his house; visible to all entering & leaving Campbeltown by the main road. It got re-arranged in the middle of the night.

[Dominic]

Eloquently put, sensible stuff

(as Jason said)

Well put Mr Shug!

[Dominic]

I also agree with what Shug said - which must make it all the more frustrating for the level-headed Yes voters.

Another (far less inportant) fact which tickled me was the amount of yessers who felt the need to sticker up (not just window, but full body panels) their cars, and have the flags etc fluttering from the windows....didn't see any No stickers other than the odd small window job.

Joanna's Farming Uncle spelled out 'No' in old tyres in the field below his house; visible to all entering & leaving Campbeltown by the main road. It got re-arranged in the middle of the night.

I did see quite a lot of the "Yessers" sabotaging any "No" campaign messages, but very little the other way - possibly that alone tells us enough.

There are still some "Yessers" actively putting up "Yes" posters / stickers - how stupid are they??!!!? - don't they know it's all been settled? S'pose they think they are campaigning for the next "once in a life time" vote on the matter.

[Rosssco]

There are still some "Yessers" actively putting up "Yes" posters / stickers - how stupid are they??!!!? - don't they know it's all been settled? S'pose they think they are campaigning for the next "once in a life time" vote on the matter.

Because the "dream" is still alive and kicking, hence 'Yes2' (Salmond Strikes Back?) and similar statements of intent.. It doesn't matter that its been settled (and I'm sure many of us knew it never would be after a No vote), as the echo chamber many supporters live in simply states that the vote was rigged / fraudulent and a collusion between parts of the British state to thwart them. You often seen a RT news report (because the Russians are the bastion of democracy and fairness) saying how it was rigged...

And it will always be continually stoked by YESNP political figures:



My view is that good timing and political opportunity have given the SNP their strength, not the actual arguments put forward.. The global recession, near collapse of the financial system, Conservative government, strong Oil and Gas receipts since the start of the 2010's (but generally poorer over the preceeding 15 years), and a lacklustre / slow starting 'No' campaign, handed the Yes side a big opportunity.. No should have won 65 / 35 in less optimal conditions for the nationalists.

[Jeremy]

I see the Lib Dems have taken the local by election in Aird & Loch Ness from the SNP, and an opinion poll I read yesterday suggested a slight slide in their popularity. Hardly a seismic shift but it's encouraging to see that their honeymoon period may be over. 2016 will be an important year.

Given they've been in power for 8 years I never quite understood why there was little or no scrutiny against their record in office but I see more and more people starting to waken up to this now. And quite frankly, it is appalling. Everything they touch, they have ruined. It's beyond belief.

Coupled with the latest corruption/cronyism scandals you think their world would be about to come crashing down. But as we're effectively a one party state now there is no proper scrutiny and regulation and so far we've seen these incidents simply being swept under the carpet by the ruling bodies.

They've got the media running scared to speak out, the white paper has been proven to be a complete and utter sham (£8bn deficit, anybody ?) and everything bad that happens is everybody/anybody elses fault.

The one thing they've managed to do, and you have to take your hat off to them for it, is to make supporting them almost tribal so if you question the SNP, you insult their supporters. Scrutiny is not allowed. It becomes personal.

I have no allegiance to any political party and my vote goes to whoever I feel is best placed to run the country and represent my views. They seem to have created this culture where people will vote for them regardless of policy or track record. It's like they're following a football team.

Regards,

Jeremy

[thinfourth]

I see the Lib Dems have taken the local by election in Aird & Loch Ness from the SNP, and an opinion poll I read yesterday suggested a slight slide in their popularity. Hardly a seismic shift but it's encouraging to see that their honeymoon period may be over. 2016 will be an important year.

Given they've been in power for 8 years I never quite understood why there was little or no scrutiny against their record in office but I see more and more people starting to waken up to this now. And quite frankly, it is appalling. Everything they touch, they have ruined. It's beyond belief.

Coupled with the latest corruption/cronyism scandals you think their world would be about to come crashing down. But as we're effectively a one party state now there is no proper scrutiny and regulation and so far we've seen these incidents simply being swept under the carpet by the ruling bodies.

They've got the media running scared to speak out, the white paper has been proven to be a complete and utter sham (£8bn deficit, anybody ?) and everything bad that happens is everybody/anybody elses fault.

The one thing they've managed to do, and you have to take your hat off to them for it, is to make supporting them almost tribal so if you question the SNP, you insult their supporters. Scrutiny is not allowed. It becomes personal.

I have no allegiance to any political party and my vote goes to whoever I feel is best placed to run the country and represent my views. They seem to have created this culture where people will vote for them regardless of policy or track record. It's like they're following a football team.

Regards,

Jeremy

You have questioned the SNP

This means you are anti Scottish

I had one of the YES idiots at work droning on about everyone on the dole getting so much and how it was wrong and benefits should be cut

I pointed he voted YES to ensure that the evil tory scum would never again reduce benefits

This ended the conversation

[j2 lot]

Eloquently put, sensible stuff

(as Jason said)

Well put Mr Shug!

As an Englishman who has lived here for more than 25 years I can identify with Jason's comments too.
Having your opinions dismissed because of your country of birth is hard to take & nothing short of racism.

[tut]

Half English, half Scots, lived here for 35 years, suppose that makes me a bit of a barsteward.

Plus to be honest I am so old now I could not give a flying fcuk.

tut

[campbell]

The next 3 sets of major elections will tell be interesting.

2016 - Scottish Parliament

2017 - Scottish local councils

20xx - UK Parliament

And maybe 2 referenda - Europe, and IndyRef2 Just When you Thought it was safe to go back in the Water.

Going to be a busy few years.

[j2 lot]

I don't see the UK Govt granting a mandate to run another Independance referendum unless the vote is to leave the Euro zone or a future UK government (5 years away) is elected on the promise of granting a mandate on demand.

[pete]

The next 3 sets of major elections will tell be interesting.

2016 - Scottish Parliament

2017 - Scottish local councils

20xx - UK Parliament

And maybe 2 referenda - Europe, and IndyRef2 Just When you Thought it was safe to go back in the Water.

Going to be a busy few years.

Definitely one. Europe is a promise.

[thinfourth]

The next 3 sets of major elections will tell be interesting.

2016 - Scottish Parliament

2017 - Scottish local councils

20xx - UK Parliament

And maybe 2 referenda - Europe, and IndyRef2 Just When you Thought it was safe to go back in the Water.

Going to be a busy few years.

Definitely one. Europe is a promise.

So will you be banging the we must be independent and set our own laws drum

Or will you be banging the SNP drum of we must stay in a strong and successful union

[kenny]

+1 on the shuggles post appreciation.

[pshanks76]

Another Shug vote from me, and one for Mike - unfortunately the Yes campaign and voter tatics made for more sensationalist stories, stirring up more emotion and divide, and the press lapped it up... Creating a bit of a vicious circle with the more extreme/vocal public who believe everything they read in the red tops.

[Rosssco]

The next 3 sets of major elections will tell be interesting.

2016 - Scottish Parliament

2017 - Scottish local councils

20xx - UK Parliament

And maybe 2 referenda - Europe, and IndyRef2 Just When you Thought it was safe to go back in the Water.

Going to be a busy few years.

Definitely one. Europe is a promise.

So will you be banging the we must be independent and set our own laws drum

Or will you be banging the SNP drum of we must stay in a strong and successful union

Personnally don't understand the SNP's facination (well I do - its part of a legitimisation process for them) with the EU, as its EU laws (such as those related to competitiveness) that are restricting the Scottish gov. in recent cases such as CalMac, Anglian water sell-off, minimum alcohol pricing etc.

If the UK was out of the EU (I don't personnally support this), then it would mean with the current devolved settlement, they could easily change these things..