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AIBU?

To think that the SNP will be stuck between a rock and a hard place

43 replies

Kampeki · 30/04/2015 23:42

If Miliband refuses to do any sort of deal with them?

The Scottish MPs would surely then be an irrelevance at best, forced to vote with Labour no matter what. OR, they'd be forced to bring down a Labour government, potentially putting the Tories back in power, and thereby pissing off most if their electorate.

Perhaps it will just make people more inclined to vote "yes" in any future referendums, and so the SNP won't really be bothered, but it seems like a bit of a no-win situation for them in the short term.

OP posts:

Report

Taz1212 · 01/05/2015 19:33

I think the SNP will abstain where it suits them and that's how they will hold the threat over Labour- give us X and then we'll vote with you. I think Milliband is assuming they would never vote with the Tories (I.e. Directly against Labour policies) and isn't taking into consideration that they could just abstain unless they are getting something back. He's counting on their votes without a deal and I'm not convinced the SNP will play along.

Taz1212 · 01/05/2015 19:34

Good grief, I've just realised I keep calling him MILLIBAND! Oops!

Sallyingforth · 01/05/2015 19:37

Miliband will accept support from ANYONE if it gets him into Downing Street.

Kampeki · 01/05/2015 19:47

Miliband will accept support from ANYONE if it gets him into Downing Street.

What makes you think that sallying? It wasn't Ed who described this election as "career defining" today.

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Sallyingforth · 01/05/2015 21:18

Just look at his recent past Kampeki. He was so determined to get the job he even stabbed his own brother in the back.

ImperialBlether · 01/05/2015 21:27

Oh for god's sake, Sallyingforth. They stood against each other! He didn't stab him in the back at all.

Sallyingforth · 01/05/2015 21:38

Oh for god's sake, blether. Do you think Miliband would give up the opportunity to be prime minister rather than accept conditional support from the SNP?

ImperialBlether · 01/05/2015 21:51

He doesn't need the support of SNP because on a vote they are likely to vote alongside Labour anyway.

He has to make it clear to the Labour voters in Scotland that they can't have it both ways; if they vote for SNP they risk Conservatives getting in.

Sallyingforth · 01/05/2015 22:06

That "voting alongside" will always be conditional on agreement to SNP requirements.
Just as Cameron would have to accept conditional support from minorities.

Kampeki · 01/05/2015 22:17

Just look at his recent past Kampeki. He was so determined to get the job he even stabbed his own brother in the back.

What nonsense! He stood because he thought he was the best person for the job, and because his policies were different from those of his brother, who was very closely associated with new labour. You could argue that he did what he thought was best for the country, even though it had a negative effect on his personal relationships. The ultimate sacrifice, if you like.

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Sallyingforth · 01/05/2015 22:29

But it wasn't best for the country. His brother was better prepared for leadership and could have brought Labour into government without relying on SNP support.

Cloudhowe63 · 01/05/2015 22:38

The SNP aren't friends of Labour - they have more or less wiped out Labour in Scotland and thus removed a huge part of Labour's natural support.

The SNP are strong and Nicola Sturgeon has played a blinder. She comes across competent and human, but to a large extent Labour in Scotland have been wiped out by their own team. IMHO the SNP have gained support since the referendum because the other parties have pretty much reneged on the promises they made (as many of the 45% anticipated).

Kampeki · 01/05/2015 22:40

But it wasn't best for the country.

In your opinion, perhaps, but not his. He thought David was too right wing.

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Iggi999 · 01/05/2015 22:42

I'd the Tories get in, it would surely cement SNP support.

Iggi999 · 01/05/2015 22:46

If, not I'd.

Sallyingforth · 01/05/2015 22:48

He thought David was too right wing.
Far better to have a natural leader who can succeed in government with socialist policies, than a failed weaker one on the left.

Kampeki · 02/05/2015 00:19

You're missing the point, sally. Regardless of what you think, Ed thought that he was the better candidate, and he won the contest. All the talk of back stabbing is irrelevant.

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Sallyingforth · 02/05/2015 10:12

Then he should have declared his interest much sooner and given his brother and supporters time to prepare for a proper contest. Instead of jumping up at the last minute with his union supporters.
Whateverhe thought of himself, the fact remains that Labour now has a weaker leader than it should have had. The coming election would have had a clearer result with no need to rely on SNP votee in parliament.

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