Anyone else feeling very nervous, GE chat

[Blarblarblar]

Anyone else feel like Scotland is about to get a right spanking after the elections.
News coverage is so negative towards Scotland at the moment most of the politicians are spouting some pretty anti Scottish feeling. I mean Scotland stayed, did what they wanted and now are about to get punished for it. I feel like we just aren't quite cowed enough.
If Tory UKIP form a coalition I think we might end up banned from wearing Tartan, playing the pipes or saying Alex's name. I'm joking but actually pretty worried.

[Alwaysinahurrynow]

Yes for different reasons to you but setting aside my personal political position.

I don't think Scotland will get a spanking. I don't think there is anti-scottish sentiment. People all over the UK including Scotland may not agree with the any/some/all of the parties and there is negative sentiment directed to all the parties (clearly depends on which media you read/listen to), but I don't think it is directed at Scotland or the Scottish people itself.

I don't think the people of Scotland did whatever 'they' wanted in the referendum. People voted for what they wanted,be it yes or no. The turnout and result, I think, are testament to that.

The only reason, I can think of, that would cause an issue is if MPs elected by Scottish constituencies caused a crisis i.e. by paralysing the governing of the UK to pursue an agenda of that only benefited their own constituency/party/Scotland irrespective of the harm it did to the UK as a whole.

[OOAOML]

I can see that passions are high but I don't see how we are going to be 'punished' that seems a bizarre line to take. Banning tartan? Seriously? It isn't the 18th century you know. Although if they did at least it would get rid of the tartan tat shops

[OOAOML]

unless you mean punished by being represented by politicians committed to breaking up the UK?

[Bigbadgeorge]

No, I think you a being rather sensitive. I haven't detected any anti-Scottishness and a few of my English friends have stated they have been quite impressed by Nicola Sturgeon (not my cup of tea personally).
I think sometimes there is an incorrect perception that the UK is in some way 'out to get' Scotland.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

I would worry that a Tory/UKIP coalition would punish us financially, yes.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

If you think there's no anti-Scottishness in the media, follow the links in this article.

[Alwaysinahurrynow]

I haven't read the links on the Wings over Scotland in depth (I don't think it represents Scotland but a particular viewpoint), but there is a difference between the SNP and Scotland. Like I said depending on what you read/listen to there are supporters and non-supporters of each party.

[HirplesWithHaggis]

Of course I understand that "the SNP" are not the same as "Scotland", but given these stories are a result of the polls looking like Scots may return a large number of SNP MPs, the two are not entirely separate either. The implication in some of those stories is that we have, collectively and as a nation, gone quite mad, and it doesn't feel very friendly and welcoming. The sense of outrage that our voices may be heard for once is palpable.

[Blarblarblar]

Im not great at writing what I'm thinking so apologies.

Maybe I am being sensitive and thats why I posted I wanted a different take and possibly some reasurance.

I think sometimes there is an incorrect perception that the UK is in some way 'out to get' Scotland I have lived all over England and allways felt welcome and never encountered any negativity towards me. Im honestly not paranoid.

Banning tartan? Seriously? It isn't the 18th century you know I was joking

I don't think the people of Scotland did whatever 'they' wanted in the referendum. People voted for what they wanted,be it yes or no yes I appreciate I didnt word that very well.

Everytime I watch the man on the street in England being interviewed its all about how those Scotts are getting all that money etc. Even in papers I would usually trust (Lefty) I find little barbs. All the politicians are talking about Scotland and not in a positive way. Hirples worded it better than me it doesn't feel very friendly

[frankie80]

Yes I''m worried, for different reasons.

yesterday a friend (now ex friend) of over 20 years said she hates westminster because it is 'full of jews' and that she 'hates the English' thus she is voting the SNP to get away from their control.

I know many people will jump on here and say very few SNP supporters think like that. Maybe not the 'jew' part, but I've heard lots and lots of anti English statements.

And it upsets me, not just because of what's being sad but because its used as a reason to vote SNP.

[frankie80]

*said

[OllyBJolly]

I'm getting quite the opposite! Many of my friends over the border - mainly Labour voting - are quite envious of the progressive female party leaders of Plaid Cymru and SNP. After last week's leader debate there was a lot of people on twitter saying they wanted to move to Scotland.

I'm quite excited by this election. it's been fab seeing the four female party leaders dominate the debates (counting Ruth Davidson from Scottish Tories). Hopefully, we'll see an end to the two party stranglehold on our country and see a more collaborative and value based approach to policy.

Yes, the boys in Westminster and Fleet Street are rattled. Good. A breath of fresh air is about to blow them away.

[RedButtonhole]

I'm worried. I think if there is a Tory/UKIP coalition, Scotland will be fucked financially.

But I think if Tory/UKIP are in charge the whole country is fucked anyway, so at least we'll all be in the same boat.

[Model5]

"Everytime I watch the man on the street in England being interviewed its all about how those Scotts are getting all that money etc. Even in papers I would usually trust (Lefty) I find little barbs. All the politicians are talking about Scotland and not in a positive way."

I think that must have been part of the propaganda campaign in favour of Independence in Scotland because I haven't seen that kind f reporting in England at all.

I do think a UKIP/Tory coalition would be a disaster for most people and Scots are the ones with the power to make sure that doesn't happen - by voting Labour.

[RedButtonhole]

I agree Model, I'm seriously considering voting Labour as I think we have a far greater chance of keeping the Tories out by doing so. Haven't made my mind up yet though and my heart says SNP, purely because I think its the only way to make sure Scotland has a say in Westminster. I have no interest in another referendum though and I do think its far too high on their agenda, I say that as a Yes voter.

[Model5]

I understand that completely RedButton. I don't have a vote in Scotland, but to me voting SNP in a GE is just a protest vote. There's no chance of an SNP government in Westminster, so make your vote count and vote for someone who can win.

[Jackieharris]

Yes there is an anti Scotish and an anti snp bias in the MSM.

Not really surprising since it's all run from London.

I think on the ground a lot of left leaning voters are a rurally keen to see how this new politics will shake out and how it might benefit them. Plenty of English people would prefer a more left leaning Labour Party to vote for than the red Tory one they have.

Model- this is a vote for parliament, not government. In the UK constitution we don't get to vote for our government. Although because we don't have a full separation of powers there is an overlap between the parliament and government. However parliament's purpose is to hold the government to account (otherwise what's the point in having it?) which is exactly what non-government parties' purpose is. It's not a perfect democratic system but it does have it's advantages.

[Blarblarblar]

Thanks ladies, a few differing opinions and it seems that our perceptions of the media seem to reflect our political leanings. I guess that's to be expected. So although I still feel that Scotland is currently being treated as the naughty step child others might not.
You will find racist/bigoted people supporting every party, except maybe the greens, if you look.
For what it's worth as a lifelong labour voter this will be the first time I won't vote for them because I really don't see SNP as a protest vote but as a party that most closely represents my beliefs and most likely to succeed. I would not at this stage be up for another referendum but that's not on the table. I may not have voted the way I did in the referendum if it had not been for the current government.
Whatever happens I'm a big ball of terrified and excited, feels like there may actually be a genuine shake up of the current status quo and however that goes ( please not Tory/UKIP) there might be some real change.

[Model5]

I just heard another report on the radio about how Cameron is supporting Sturgeon behind the scenes. I wonder why that might be....

[BakewellSlice]

Don't be cowed OP. Don't fall for the hype.

Nicola Sturgeon has impressed the whole UK with her performances. There is no need to feel aggrieved.

UKIP are over-hyped non runners in my opinion - DUP will have more MPs.

[alteredimages]

Yeah, in such a tight race it is an obvious strategy for the Tories. Having said that, Scottish Labour have been doing a pretty good job of sabotaging their chances all by themselves. I hope they get it together a bit and gain some ground before the vote.

I would love to be party to the conversations between Conservative Head Office and the Scottish Conservatives. It must be really galling for your own party to be supporting your rivals. I really really can't stand the Westminster Tories but as individuals I have always found Scottish Conservatives to be nice people. Would never make me vote for them but I do feel a smidgeon of sympathy.

I am really scared of the Tories getting back in. I have lived abroad for the past 6 years and now can't come back without leaving DH because of the earning restrictions placed on residency visas for non EU spouses. It feels really sad being locked out of my own country but the real reason I hate the Tories so much is that I live in a country with no functioning public services and admission to all positions based on your family and who you know so it breaks my heart to see a country like the UK where things are by and large working well seeking to return to a more stratified society and remove opportunities for social mobility and greater equality.

I am a Labour girl at heart but Labour pissed me off a lot when they were in their invincible new labour phase and haven't done enough to win me back.

Having said all that, I won't be voting because Edinburgh City Council never replied to my request to vote by proxy. Probably just as well in case DB cast my vote for UKIP or the BNP for a laugh.

[alteredimages]

I don't think Scotland will have any trouble after the election either, OP. Quite the opposite. I think all the rhetoric is a sign that Scotland's role in UK politics is much greater than it once was and recognition that the Scottish government is holding a lot of the cards.

[Blarblarblar]

Model5 why on earth would they? I've never been one for conspiracy theorys.

[Model5]

No conspiracy theory, it's quite open. If SNP do well, Labour won't have the seats they need to form a government. Every possibility Tories won't either but that's OK by them because they can have the UKIP coalition. Which is fine because a large proportion of Tories are UKIP at heart anyway. It's a much better fit than a Labour/SNP coalition would be.

[Blarblarblar]

I agree altered that Scotland's position has changed for the best but that could well change if Nigel gets his wish and the way Cameron was talking on Andrew Marr the other day I'm not sure our position would remain so solid and I'm hoping that the whole UKIP thing is being hyped and they get 2 seats.