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?

Labour in Scotland have brought this all on themselves.

But what leads you to believe that the SNP are any different Frostedloop?

Of course it's fine to vote SNP and get Tory, if that's what you want. That's the way our democratic system works.

However, I think you'll find that the English electorate doesn't elect 591 of the 650 MPs. Wales and Northern Ireland get a look in as well, you know.

It's the Scottish NATIONAL Party, nationalism is a slur.

Nationalist behaviour has been a huge feature in politics south of the border - even the BNP (and offshoots) have nailed their ENGLISH nationalism firmly to the mast

Actually, I agree with you Frosted - Scottish seats only account for a smallish portion of the whole, and so it would be wrong to "blame" Scottish voters for choosing the "wrong" party. But by the same token, we'd like to hear less of the shit about Scotland not having a proper voice at Westminster. Your elected representatives have the same voting rights as ours.

Yes, I agree - nationalism is a huge problem in English politics. I don't think the BNP is that influential any more, but UKIP has certainly gained ground.

I don't think they're of the same ilk at all, but I do absolutely think that the SNP is a nationalist party - you only have to listen to Nicola Sturgeon's rhetoric to see that. I'm not sure how you could argue otherwise.

Most of the SNP supporters I know are nationalist in the true sense of the word. They'd vote SNP to get one over on the English as much as to benefit Scotland. Because apparently we're much fairer/more liberal/generally better all round than those south of the border

But what leads you to believe that the SNP are any different Frostedloop?

Seeing them govern Scotland competently, when we were told so many times by Labour that they'd never do it. The bottom line is that we've had far fewer scandals, far more stability than the rest of the UK. Just look at the NHS for example. Down south it's an absolute mess and if change came on Friday you've still got YEARS before it's sorted.

That's not money which has given us that stability in the NHS, it's calm leadership, small changes rather than massive reorganisations which screw over the NHS in England every, single time the government flips from Tory to Labour and back again.

The SNP are far more willing to work with other parties too, many say they wouldn't work with the tories - but they have in the past if it's for the benefit of their voters. Would they ever do so at Westminster - no, but it at least shows a level of maturity to get on with the job, rather than stick to party lines as so many other parties do.

Are they perfect, not at all but I don't fear them "ruining the UK" or somehow magically through holding likely < 8% of the MPs being able to steamroll legislation through.

Most of the SNP supporters I know are nationalist in the true sense of the word. They'd vote SNP to get one over on the English as much as to benefit Scotland. Because apparently we're much fairer/more liberal/generally better all round than those south of the border hmm

Rubbish, I genuinely don't know a single one which is that blinkered and I know plenty of SNP supporters who are English.

I fear that you may have listened to too much party publicity Frostedloop.

No I don't believe that at all. There is nothing to be gained by that for Scotland.
It's an extremely patronising allegation actually.
Scotland is not in this to play petty games.
I think it would be a big mistake to underestimate Scotland. It has proved to be a very poor strategy for Labour.

I think it would be a big mistake to underestimate Scotland.

I genuinely have no idea what you mean by this. Who is in danger of "underestimating" Scotland and in what way?

Almost sounds threatening?

Labour did for a start, took their Scottish votes and seats for granted. Big mistake, and that's why they are in the mess here that they are, facing utter humiliation.

Frosted, YNK, you can deny it all you want but I know, from personal experience, that most of the SNP supporters i know have a massive chip on their shoulders about the English. It's all flag waving, "wha's like us" bravado. Unfortunately for us all I think you'll win big tomorrow and it saddens me greatly. I feel like a stranger in my own land at the moment and if it wasn't for family ties I'd be out.

The BNP never made any vast inroads to British politics, they never even had an MP. UKIP have seen support in England decline as they've shown their true colours during the campaign. To suggest that English nationalism is anywhere near the force Scottish nationalism is, well that's ludicrous.

The party has acted swiftly and decisively to put a firm halt to that kind of behaviour.
Can the same be said of other parties?

Threatening? wtf?

I'm not sure how Labour neglected Scotland. Apart from devolution they have always given a better deal to the Scots. If anyone is nelected it's the English who have a comparatively poorer deal.

Someone mentioned 'being fed crumbs', but if you don't want the 'crumbs' of free university education and prescriptions can I have them please?

As a scot living in England maybe I'm more often on the receiving end of Nationalist attention.

YNK, the fact you're not actually here just now to see what it's like for anyone who doesn't agree with "the party" speaks volumes.

I think I did say 'lots of crumbs' Aermingers.

Aermingers - sorry to break it to you but that's a lie. No doubt you will get a chance very soon to see the sums.
The Scottish Parliament has made different choices than the British govt. If you want free education and prescriptions you need to vote for that in the same way the Scottish people did.

I am here!

How can they vote for it? There is no party who will offer that to England because we don't threaten the messy breakdown of the Union to blackmail what we want out of the government.

YNK, didn't you say you were in England?