Will Scotland Vote Snp?

[naomi24]

With the concern in the rest of the country about the SNP potentially holding sway over a Labour government, something’s puzzling me. Since the outcome of the Scottish referendum was ‘No to independence’, will the majority of electorate there, who don’t want independence, vote against the SNP in the forthcoming elections?

[Zacs-Master]

Must be a bit of a Dilema for them as they are so anti-Tory. Much wringing of hands over the porridge bowls In May I feel.

[jno]

Scots thought Sturgeon won last night's debate by a royal mile

http://scotgoespop.blogspot.co.uk/

[dannyk13]

As the majority want to remain part of the UK I think they will vote for the SNP in order to have a bigger sway in parliament.

[naomi24]

But Danny, if they get a bigger sway in parliament, they'll also get what they don't want.

[dannyk13]

What is that Naomi?

[Hopkirk]

The referendum and the general election are two different things.

There is no reason to think the voters will vote the same way in both.

After all when local and general elections are held on the same day, the percentage votes to each party are quite different.

[taranis]

I live in Gordon district, and really have no alternative but to vote for Lib-Dems, as the only party who might stop Alex Salmond, a win for him will be a disaster for Scotland and the UK as a whole. I think most people in Scotland do not like Nicola Sturgeon, she is as obsessed with independence as her predecessor.

[naomi24]

dannyk13, //What is that Naomi? //

A party whose fundamental aim doesn't represent their wishes.

[naomi24]

taranis, do you think others who don't want independence might go the same route?

[Zacs-Master]

Danny, the majority of Scottish people have just voted against independence. A vote for the SNP would rekindle the whole debate / possibility.

[Quizmonster]

The next election for the Scottish Parliament takes place next year. A key part of the SNP's manifesto then will certainly be - as always - Independence for Scotland.
Given that that is a manifesto pledge, it will be difficult for Westminster to refuse another Independence Referendum, sooner or later, if the SNP again win a majority of the seats in Scotland in 2016. That was the very basis on which the last referendum was held.
Scotland's voters will then have the same choice as they had last September...yes or no. Meantime, there is nothing to stop them from ensuring that Scotland's voice is heard loudly and clearly in the Westminster parliament by voting FOR the SNP. Scottish voters who do not want independence have nothing to gain and perhaps much to lose by NOT voting for the SNP in May.

[Peter Pedant]

This occurrence to you is a bit late in the day Nigh

The voting pattern of refusing independence and then re-electing the party that supported it has happened before ( irony klaxons blaring ) and makes one wonder if the Scots all have two brains

[icecreamicecream]

Nationalism,urghhh...My father and my uncles who fought against Hitlers nationalism and their friends who fought against Francos nationalism and the many people who died fighting against the fascist nationalism of the IRA must be turning in their graves at the very thought of these tartan sectarians.

[Quizmonster]

I don't think there's much likelihood of Scottish regiments marching into Denmark or deciding that the only answer to the world's ills is the slaughtering of millions of members of any particular religion, do you, Icecreamicecream?

[jno]

if you're Scottish and you want strong rule for Scotland but within the UK, then the SNP is the party for you.

Which sounds like exactly what Scottish voters do want; so there's no hypocrisy or stupidity involved.

Of course, what English voters would prefer is a weak Scotland within the UK. They may be out of luck.

[maggiebee]

Agree jno. News this morning in Dundee is that the Labour candidate has decided not to stand for another term. Some say it is for health reasons, some say he is running scared. Whatever the real reason I'm sure the SNPs will take the seat.

[ToraToraTora]

The sweaties will vote SNP, they will not see the irony that they will be helping the Tories, that won't matter to them. They are angry at Labour. That is why Dave will still be in no 10 on 8th May.

[maggiebee]

TTT - just who are the "sweaties"?

[jno]

maggiebee, sweaty socks > Jocks.

What they see is that if they take all Labour's seats then they still have the option of allying with Labour when they feel like it.

[mushroom25]

//What they see is that if they take all Labour's seats then they still have the option of allying with Labour when they feel like it.//

whilst the SNP can of course adopt that attitude, it's unlikely to get them a seat at the cabinet table. If they don't get into bed with labour at the outset, Ed won't be asked to form a government.