Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36046552)

I’m not convinced the four years, or more, of circuitous discussion would be worth it. Can only test Paul, Mick, Hugh, Chris and Maggy’s patience levels so many times... :erm:

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36046536)

In almost any other democracy, and certainly those multi-party systems, splitting the country “down the middle” and carrying 50% of the vote consistently after 13 years in Government that would reasonably be considered resounding success.

What Brown would have given for that in 2010. I’m sure Boris would settle for that in 2022/7.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 36046397)

Red Card has been in post for mere days and I’d be surprised if he, or the exams fiasco (why the “”? it is undeniably a feck up on a grand scale) will filter through quickly under present circumstances.

Our left-leaning members were quick to claim Boris’ popularity has been merely the rally round the flag effect inherent to any major crisis, but oddly enough they’re all still in awe of Nicola Sturgeon, whose decision making on Covid issues has been near identical to those taken in Westminsterland. The Natbots on social media have been waxing lyrical about differences that amount to a few days here or there, or a few more or a few less people in any given space.

Election time will bring it all out ... exam estimates that were 20% over-egged was a blatant political hot potato to all those with sight of it long before results day but they let the moderated grades out and then had no choice but to damage the credibly of the vast majority of accurate grades by backtracking. That’s A-grade political ineptitude. Meanwhile the £230 million ghost ferry MV Sannox slinks into a dry dock in Greenock, more than twice its budget already spent, more than 2 years late and still not in service thanks to an ill-judged deal to save a shipyard run by one of Nicola’s mates. Ferguson couldn’t cope with the job, scot gov owned Cal Mac couldn’t make up its mind what it wanted ... a perfect storm with Nippy sitting at both ends of it.

They’re a sad shower and a poor excuse for a government, and if Red Card Ross (assisted by the newly ennobled Ruth Davidson) play it right they will get a very hard time in next year’s election. Their message needs to be, “we already know there isn’t going to be another Indyref, so let’s talk about...” and then relentlessly target schools, hospitals, police, island ferries, and everything else the SNP has violently screwed up while spending the last decade or more obsessing over independence at the cost of everything else.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36046584)

They may be a sad shower but they’re polling at over 50%. So how do the consistently incompetent opposition beat them?

It’s a more damning indictment of them that they cannot make inroads after 13 long hard years of claimed incompetence and an exams “fiasco”.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 36046585)

You realise a great many people say the same thing about the Tories? :D

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36046584)

They may be a sad shower but they’re polling at over 50%. So how do the consistently incompetent opposition beat them?

It’s a more damning indictment of them that they cannot make inroads after 13 long hard years of claimed incompetence and an exams “fiasco”.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 36046585)

You realise a great many people say the same thing about the Tories? :D

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36046586)

FPTP gives them majority government on a minority of votes though, so I’d object to “great many”.

Originally Posted by pip08456 (Post 36046589)

Proportional voting would give hung Parliaments for yesrs is that what you want?

Remind me why the Liberals and Labour took such a hammering at the last election?

You may think nothing to do with Scottish Politics but it shows what the electorate will do if they don't agree with certain parties policies and actions.

Originally Posted by jfman (Post 36046593)

Ah the straw man.

I’m not here (in this thread at least) to discuss the electoral system to the UK Parliament, it is indeed, what is is. With its unelected House of Lords that Baroness-to-be Davidson seeks exile in.

However the statement as given related to the “great many” of the electorate.

When we could, and perhaps even should, reflect on the fact that the SNP Government in Scotland enjoys the highest confidence among the electorate of any elected government in this great land the definition of “great many” leaves the rest trailing in their blaze.

Originally Posted by Chris (Post 36046599)

“Enjoys the confidence of” is a bit of a stretch. “Wheesht fur indy” is not a new concept in Scottish politics. The SNP’s fortunes are aligned with confidence in the Labour Party as an effective opposition to the Tories, and with the level of interest in Scottish independence as a thing.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36046601)

But as Hugh's chart shows, support for Labour has been increasing across the UK whilst that for the SNP has not been falling. Maybe it will take longer to take effect in Scotland or maybe the SNP is offering the majority of Scots what they want.

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36046602)

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36046603)

It's about sovereignty and not being bullied by around by the UK. ;)