Vote SNP, get Tory

[bythestairs]

Nicola Sturgeon has shown herself to be a charismatic politican who, understandably, is drawing a lot of support. But is she really going to get a chance to influence the next government?

The Conservatives are already declaring themselves the winners, if they get the most seats which the current polls are just giving them. The relationship between Cameron and Clegg is seamless. And, perhaps strongest of all, the SNP have the same media backers as the Conservatives. Why would that be?

Is it better to have Nicola Sturgeon as a heckler a long way from Westminster or to change the current government and have a strong representation of the SNP at Scottish level?

[ssd]

this is why I voted labour, although I like NS more.

[FannyFifer]

Vote SNP, get SNP.
The Labour Party are not who deserves to represent Scotland anymore.
Every time, every GE, they say you have to vote for us or you will get the Tories, Scotland votes labour, we still get the Tories.

Not this time.

[Ubik1]

have a strong representation of the SNP at Scottish level?

At Scottish level? -

This is a democracy, I'll vote for who I like thanks.

[aprilanne]

i have said this along along .snp will never form government .voting up here is only letting tory in .wish some folk would think .

[Mistigri]

If Nicola keeps her word and her MPs vote against a Tory-led coalition, I don't see how voting SNP increases the chance of a Tory government? Regardless of whether they are in coalition, it's likely that the SNP would vote in favour of a Labour-led minority government, and for all of the policies that they have in common.

[WildFlowersAttractBees]

Only a vote for labour in Scotland has any chance of toppling a tory government. NS is an MSP, not an MP!!!!

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Even a condem coalition is unlikely to hold a majority of seats in the house of commons. SNP will definitely vote against Tories, it remains to be seen whether labour will.

Cameron can claim a win all he likes, but if more MPs are against him than with him he will lose (and it doesn't matter if those MPs are labour/SNP/Plaid Cymru/Green...)

[19lottie82]

I am a lifelong Tory voter, but this time will be voting labour in an attempt to block the SNP from gaining the seat in my area (fingers crossed!)

[DoraGora]

Neither. Politics is about getting the best deal for your constituents. The Scots have been rather too good at this, perhaps because Westminster has feared the nationalists and granted too many concessions rather than because of shrewd strategy (or maybe they're one and the same). Either way, a reckoning with Sturgeon is on the cards, regardless of how far she is from the UK parliament. The other leaders will have to deal with her anyway. The idea that Ed will and David won't is a rather stupid view of what politics is about. (It's a bit like saying Gerry Adams was dealt with by ignoring him.) What we need is a grown up discussion, not photoshopped pictures of Nicola waving out of a window.

[bythestairs]

My suggestion of having a strong representation of the SNP at Scottish level is a pragmatic one, not a patronising one. That way, you get to have a slightly larger cake, in financial terms, and get to eat a decent slice of it. If you vote SNP in this election, will you get a smaller cake and it might be much smaller than you think.

A large number of Conservatives have already muted revisiting the Barnet formula a couple of years ago. Don't let pride decide.

[JohnCusacksWife]

19lottie82, a tactical vote for Labour here too. Don't think it will work but you've got to try!

[ComposHatComesBack]

If there's a Tory government , the only people to "blame' will be the people who voted Tory in constituencies which elected Tory MPs. Which will almost exclusively be in England.

To expect us in Scotland to save English voters from themselves by blindly troop to the ballot box to vote for a Labour party has treated us with contempt, taken us for granted and derided us as idiots for daring to think we could govern ourselves, is an insult to the intelligence of Scottish voters.

[bythestairs]

No one is suggesting you to save anyone. That's my point, you sound full of pride. If you let decide your vote, what comes afterwards ... Maybe you prefer that. Give the English a kicking and wake up with nothing.

I'm not patronising anyone. I've put forward an analysis. If you feel it's wrong, fine, please say where. I'm honestly interested.

Why do you think Republican voters vote for a democrat in the house of representatives in the US? Out of pride? No, they are ruthlessly pragmatic.

[Perihelion]

Well the seamless relationship between Cameron and Clegg may be over if Clegg loses his seat and may result in the Libdems shifting left. Am voting SNP not to give the English a kicking, but for a party who's policies I most agree with.

[Handsoff7]

Vote SNP, get SNP.

The SNP have repeatedly and loudly stated they will never work with the Tories.

Labour haven't.

[sleepyhead]

Vote SNP, get SNP.

I can't in all conscience vote for the Labour party in Scotland, and specifically for the candidate who is standing in my constituency.

I hope the English electorate don't vote in the Conservatives but that's all I can do, hope.

[ComposHatComesBack]

Maybe you prefer that. Give the English a kicking and wake up with nothing.

I have no interest in 'giving the English a kicking' what with my being English (but resident in Scotland). Nor am I an SNP supporter (ex-Labour, now Scottish Green)

The analysis should you want one is this:Scotland has voted solidly Labour since the 1950s and have largely been rewarded with Tory governments or pale pink Labour governments far to the right of most Labour voters in Scotland. That this seems to be the basis of the Scottish Labour party's campaign this time demonstrates the complete intellectual bankruptcy and lack of a vision for Scotland.

Instead this time, it looks like Scottish voters will vote for a party that they feel best reflects their interests. It has nothing to do with thumbing our noses at the English. As I said in my previous post, save you ire for people who voted Tory and you'll find comparatively few of them in Scotland.

[stressedHEmum]

Once again, Vote SNP, get SNP.

The SNP will NEVER work with the Tories, it would be suicide for them and they haven't been a right leaning party for many years now. Why should we vote for a Labour party who have let us down, ignored us, who lie and manipulate and take the Scottish electorate totally for granted and still, in all likelihood, get stuck with a Tory government?

The fear mongering and hate that goes on turns my stomach, it's completely undemocratic.

[bythestairs]

'deserve', 'conscience', ... Forgive me, but there are enough moralistic terms on here to fill a bible. No one despises Scots people. I'm partly Scottish myself which is maybe why I don't feel shy of putting forward my opinions.

Virtually all the media, including the titles of Rupert Murdoch, are scaremongering about the SNP in England in order to bring up the Conservative vote here. Do you think the Scottish Sun doesn't know this? Nicola Sturgeon's response yesterday was wholly unacceptable. She seems like a decent person to me and we really do need a breath of fresh air. The fact that she's a woman is also a bonus. BUT, she will not be governing anyone if things go as they are going.

[Reignbeau]

If there's a Tory government , the only people to "blame' will be the people who voted Tory in constituencies which elected Tory MPs. Which will almost exclusively be in England

This. I'm voting SNP tomorrow because they are the party whose policies I identify with and who I think will represent my interests best in parliament. I will not be made to feel guilty for " inflicting" the Tories on anyone.

[Reignbeau]

BUT, she will not be governing anyone if things go as they are going

You do know she is already the First Minister of Scotland and that isn't changing with this election result?

[squoosh]

I don't love the SNP but they will never get in bed with the Tories. Ever.

Their supporters would (rightly) rise up in a tidal wave of righteous indignation.

[CrystalCove]

Nicola despises everything the Tories stand for.

I find tactical voting strange, I could never vote for someone or party I didn't believe in or like just to try to keep someone I liked even less out.

[chipsandpeas]

I find tactical voting strange, I could never vote for someone or party I didn't believe in or like just to try to keep someone I liked even less out.

this

ex labour now SNP voter

[retrorobot]

The OP and posters on this thread who say "Vote SNP, get Tory" should have their voting rights extinguished because they clearly can't understand even the "voting for dummies" system that applies for Westminster elections.

Assuming that neither Labour nor the SNP vote for a Tory prime minister, whether a particular Scottish constituency is represented by a Labour MP or an SNP MP doesn't affect one iota the likelihood of a Tory government.