Council - Assembly - Parliament elections 2011

So, many of the results are now in and we can begin to get a picture of how people voted in Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and in various English council areas last night.

Judging by Scotland's results I'm going to have to advise my folks they'll need a passport next time they come to visit.

What do we make of it all?

[Ignitionnet]

Scotland's result is fabulous - you guys may get your referendum now.

No surprises at all in Wales.

England's results so far are fantastic from the point of view of the Tories, disappointing from the point of view of Labour and extremely painful but expected for the Liberal Democrats.

I'm coming round to the idea of a referendum TBH ... it's a lot of money to spend on something almost every poll ever conducted in Scotland has already shown the answer to, but it will be worth it if it puts the issue to bed for a generation.

If we can separate the SNP from separatism, then we may end up with a viable alternative to Labour at Holyrood without the constant distraction of talk of referendums/independence.

[Derek]

My MSP is now an SNP candidate.

Completely agree with Chris, have a referendum ASAP, get the inevitable vote to remain part of the UK and then move on.

---------- Post added at 09:51 ---------- Previous post was at 09:40 ----------

And the best bit of news all night by far.

Former Labour MP George Galloway failed in his bid to enter frontline politics at the Scottish parliament after failing to muster enough support on the Glasgow list

I'm very pleased at the extent to which Labour has been left twisting in the wind here in Scotland. They have been so used to the idea of having Scotland as their personal fiefdom for far too long.

Iain Gray came within about 150 votes of losing his constituency seat to the SNP last night.

[slowcoach]

Link YES!!!!!

I guess you'll be enjoying a few celebratory pints down at the Oldham Labour Club tonight then.

Once you've toasted your success in Oldham though, don't forget to have a few to help drown Labour's sorrows elsewhere - overall, Ed Milliband has got a right kicking across the UK this week. Even William Hague managed to get more council seats as leader of the opposition.

[wwe]

Couse con are in the lead at the mo so will david camron stay as pm?

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Chris

I'm very pleased at the extent to which Labour has been left twisting in the wind here in Scotland.

I had no idea you're a fellow Scot, just a wee bit north of Watford mind you...

BNP lose all five seats in Stoke-on-Trent BBC

What are the chances of Scotland leaving the UK if they hold a Referendem? Surely the consequences for both Countries would be dire?

[slowcoach]

Originally Posted by Chris

I guess you'll be enjoying a few celebratory pints down at the Oldham Labour Club tonight then.

Once you've toasted your success in Oldham though, don't forget to have a few to help drown Labour's sorrows elsewhere - overall, Ed Milliband has got a right kicking across the UK this week. Even William Hague managed to get more council seats as leader of the opposition.

Chris, I'm not so naive to think that replacing one lot of snouts in the trough with another lot will make much change, what we need is a Government that will force Local Councils to become leaner.
Years ago Oldham Council paid a company to do a cost saving report, the company reported that the Council could reduce it's employee count by two thirds without impacting on services, the Council paid the company a small fortune then carried on hiring more staff.

In Oldham we have sixty paid Local Councillors, there is talk of reducing the number but then talk rarely leads to action at Council meetings. Sixty paid Councillors! it's hard to believe, then add the massive overmanning, it's no wonder our Poll Tax is so high.

Thankfully North Sea Oil and Gas revenues will dry up in the near future so whichever Government is in power they will have to face reality and make some real world decisions, something they haven't had to do for forty years or so.

North Sea Oil revenue might dry up a little faster than you think if Alex Salmond can wring full advantage out of his rather stunning victory in Scotland.

Good point though. I have long been skeptical of the value of running local councils along national party lines. Councils need strong, pragmatic control by talented local people who won't simply roll over and let the officers do whatever they want.

[slowcoach]

All this talk of Scotland is bringing back all the happy memories of all the holidays I have spent there, magic scenery, lovely people, nothing like the media stereotypes.

I always used to stop at the Forth Railway Bridge just to admire it before carrying on, ever northwards, wonderful times.

well the libdems have lost their northern flagship seat (newcstle)to labour and my libdem candidate (Niel Hamilton) died so we have to have a by election