Why is Scotland so different?

[Indiestarr]

Does anyone have any insight? Presumably Scotland has the same post-industrial decline and deprivation issues as the north east of England and Wales, and yet their vote was pretty much the complete opposite of these areas. How is it they are almost uniformly progressive when the rest of the UK (NI aside) is anything but?

[Heatherbell1978]

We have strong leadership and people tend to have a better understanding of the contribution made by immigrants. It's a smaller nation so also more cohesive.

[SetPhasersTaeMalkie]

I would like to think Scotland is a progressive country. I'm not so sure. I'm an SNP voter because there is no viable alternative. Essentially my protest against the main political parties.

England doesn't seem to have any viable alternative so I believe that the leave vote was, for some people a vote against the main parties.

Probably highly simplistic on my part but it may have some bearing.

[gunting]

Whether you agree with them or not, Sturgeon and even Ruth Davidson are very impressive and strong leaders.

[SetPhasersTaeMalkie]

I agree too that the smaller population makes for more cohesion.

[Indiestarr]

people tend to have a better understanding of the contribution made by immigrants

That's interesting Heatherbell - how does that understanding come about?

[ShowOfHands]

Different history, different leadership.

[Heatherbell1978]

I don't know indiestarr but perhaps I should reverse it and say we don't blame our failings on immigration like our friends in places south of the border too. Not trying to be unreasonable. It's fact. Scotland is welcoming to refugees and immigrants.

[ExcuseMyEyebrows]

Scotland is welcoming to refugees and immigrants
I believe this to be true, in general. But Scotland has a much smaller population and from what I hear from my family there just aren't the problems we have in England with school places, doctor appointments, hospital waiting lists etc, so there isn't the resentment that has sadly built up in some areas here.
And they have a much stronger leader too.

[tabulahrasa]

We've already had a referendum...so we've all been thinking about the ramifications of leaving the EU for about 3 years, it's one of the reasons that Scotland voted to stay in the UK.

We're all also very aware that leaving a union without a robust plan to handle that exit is madness, the proposals in place for an independent Scotland weren't strong enough, for this one there weren't even any plans, there's nothing in place.

We also know how a referendum works and that votes count thigh I'm hoping that was a very small percentage of voters.

[Homemama]

I think it's partly because Sotland doesn't have the sometimes scary aggressive type of nationalism that we have in England. Their brand of nationalism is more joyous and benevolent.
Secondly, from what I can gather, voters of all political persuasions were win over by the unified and articulate remain campaign fronted by NS and RD.

[Homemama]

Scotland

[claig]

I think it is to do with freedom and liberty and autonomy.

The English don't like being bossed about by anyone. We are a rebellious, independent, non-conformist lot. The Scots seem to be able to put up with "named person" legislation. The likes of Blair and the gang would never be able to get that over the English people.

[HamaTime]

IME people are much, much more politically engaged and savvy. The idea that swathes of Scottish voters would fall for some of the lies (or 'possibilities' as IDS euphemistically calls them) of this campaign is incomprehensible. I think there is a more outward facing attitude generally, there isn't a Scottish equivalent to 'little england'.

[Homemama]

YY, I think political engagement is pervasive in Scots of all ages and social classes. I think that's the same in NI too. Possibly that and being aware of EU issues and benefits since before the indyref has helped.

[Homemama]

Really, what you mean they're imperialistic, Claig?

[claig]

'Really, what you mean they're imperialistic, Claig?'

No, we just don't like elites, unelected Brussels bureaucrats and nobodies like Blair giving us biometric ID cards or anything like that. We are freedom loving, we rebelled against the King with the Magna Carta and that spirit still lives in hundreds of years later. We have stunned all of the world and all of the stooges by our vote for independence.

[tabulahrasa]

You ever been to Scotland Claig?

I know about a year ago you had literally not a clue about Scottish politics and we're having to have it all explained to you...but now you seem to be an expert?

[gunting]

Talking to claig is like playing brexiter bingo.

All the sound bites and buzz words but not a lot of substance.

[AyeAmarok]

Claig what a pile of shite!

Scotland is plenty rebellious, independent and non-conformist

You might have noticed that people here aren't exactly thrilled about the Named Person legislation.

[tabulahrasa]

"All the sound bites and buzz words but not a lot of substance"

I've sometimes wondered if she's actually an AI who has just been programmed with UKIP leaflets...

[claig]

They are coming back at us, they are trying to divide us, using the argument about old and young and educated and uneducated. They are still trying to scare us, but they can't beat the English people and our love of freedom.

Here is the legendary Peter Hitchens in the shameful Mai on Sunday which backed the Remainers.

"They shouldn’t have tried to scare us. It is a sign of how little the Remainers understand or know about Britain, and above all about England, that they thought that would work.
...
The Remainers’ snobbery was their undoing. They believed they were superior to their fellow countrymen and women, when they were just luckier and richer. Judging from their response to the referendum result, many of them still do.
...
We have had only half a revolution. If we do not now complete it, we will have missed an unequalled opportunity to reclaim what is and always was ours."

www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-3660282/Boston-Lincolngrad-saw-seething-resentment-time-finish-revolution-says-PETER-HITCHENS.html

[AyeAmarok]

No, we just don't like elites

That would be why the English single-handedly voted for a Tory government then, aye?

[claig]

'You might have noticed that people here aren't exactly thrilled about the Named Person legislation.'

That is good to hear

[claig]

'You ever been to Scotland Claig?'

Been to Edinburgh for a job interview, turned it down and stayed in England. Beautiful place, Athens of the North.

[AgentProvocateur]

We also have a wider press and a much higher percentage of newspaper readers. As well as the UK-wide titles, we also have four other national dailies - the Herald, the Scotsman, the Record and the National.