To wonder what the scots are thinking

[Ruperta]

If the exit polls are to be believed then tge Scots will have massively turned out in favour of SNP. This is less than 12 months after voting no to independence.

Why then vote SNP? Have they shot themselves in the foot or are the Scottish going to be protected from the welfare cuts that are going to be imposed on us? Are there NHS and education budgets more protected? Honest questions as I'm very confused!

Feeling very disappointed

I voted SNP for the first time today. The SNP government at Holyrood have done a pretty good job. I agree with a lot of their policies. I'm not that up for independence, but I do recognise it's maybe the best way to get a fairer and just society, which would hopefully be a beacon for others to follow.

The SNP ran an amazing campaign. For the first time ever, I've met several SNP candidates who have been out meeting and greeting (sadly not met Nicola). Every one of them was informed, interested and sincere. No staged photo opps. My sitting MP had a camera crew in my street with a Labour party member posing as a resident of the street. We (the locals!) were directed to the other side of the road while it was going on.

Independence wasn't a feature in this election. Many people didn't so much vote for the SNP as make a protest vote against Labour. Labour got lazy, complacent and took their electorate for granted.

The SNP ran an amazing campaign. For the first time ever, I've met several SNP candidates who have been out meeting and greeting (sadly not met Nicola). Every one of them was informed, interested and sincere. No staged photo opps. My sitting MP had a camera crew in my street with a Labour party member posing as a resident of the street. We (the locals!) were directed to the other side of the road while it was going on.

That saddened me not least because it brought to mind memories of Princess Diana and other Royals 'doing the street'. Why aren't you asking the hard questions rather than appreciating the opportunities for 'selfies'?

FFS, it's not "the Scots" - we're not fucking clones of each other. You won't catch me voting SNP unless you have my dcs at gunpoint. There's a lot of us about you know. That'll be why over half the country turned down the chance to become independent not so very long ago

Maybe the snp have got it all wrong. Maybe instead of going for an independent Scotland they should establish themselves across the UK as a genuine alternative to labour and the conservatives. Instead of leaving the UK they should lead it.

*Why aren't you asking the hard questions"

Sorry - didn't know you wanted a detailed description of my activities over the past few months! Don't be sad - as I said - I agree with the policies having read the manifesto. I made an informed choice.

My point is the SNP have a much clearer view of opinions of the public because they are out there. Labour are too remote now. It's all stage managed, self satisfied, out of touch. The Lib Dems - sadly in my opinion - allowed themselves to become Tory whipping boys. I've just heard it looks like Danny Alexander has lost. That's a shame - he's a good constituency MP and I suspect he's been fighting hard against the Tory influence in the Treasury. I'm hoping my "home" Lib Dem keeps his seat because he is a bloody good MP (and it looks like he will be the one Lib Dem left).

I'm incredibly sad that it looks like a Tory majority. Don't blame the Scots - blame Labour for not offering a more attractive proposition.

I'm in drink taken so you'll have to forgive me if I ramble.

That's an interesting point ginmakesitallok. I don't believe that the SNP have that necessary depth though. They're just politicians whose actions are informed by their media consultants like anyone else and not any sort of shining knights without blemish striving for the greater good.

What depth do any of the other parties have though?

Have you seen the clown that is the Scottish labour leader? My local labour candidate is also an idiot who is against equal rights for same sex couples and blocked me on Twitter simply for asking what was the pro's of voting labour over all the other parties. Therefore he lost my vote, UKIP-no chance, the local
Independent guy-absolute fruit loop who sent a leaflet calling us 'fellow earthlings', greens-well they make no sense they'll bankrupt the UK in a week, lib-dem-they were poor throughout coalition, Conservatives-well they are shiting on the poor and supporting the 'Eton old boys club' and are so out of touch....SNP are the better choice for Scotland.

Sorry - didn't know you wanted a detailed description of my activities over the past few months! Don't be sad - as I said - I agree with the policies having read the manifesto. I made an informed choice.

The last thing that I wanted was a detailed description of your activities over the past few months.

Have you looked at the facts though? The SNP have the economic grasp of a gnat. I've seen then in operation at local and national level and they're controlling, intolerant of questioning, and have little or no idea of anything beyond immediate political advantage. They have no 'way forward'.

They are thinking the same as everyone who voted lib dem last time. In the morning they will be thinking differently but by then it will be too late.

I apologize - but I should also have mentioned.

What have they actually done that required real decision-making?

My vote for the SNP was an informed one and I certainly won't regret it tomorrow. Our SNP candidate was the only one who bothered to personally talk to us and discuss his goals and address our concerns (as I don't agree with one of their policies in particular). I didn't even see any of our other candidates let alone have the chance to talk to them. Ideally I would like independence, but it is not my main reason for voting SNP, far from it. To sum it up simply, I think they are the only party who will actually listen to us (that also had a chance at getting a majority in Scotland).

I'm glad for you JackSkellington. Take youirself a Mandy Rice Davies moment though?

Please don't class all us Scots as the same. It's quite insulting.

One Night: what powers did the SNP actually have in Holyrood that would have allowed them to redistribute wealth in Scotland? Tax, benefits etc are all controlled by Westminster. They have, however, taken various measures within their power aimed at helping people on low incomes including offsetting the Bedroom Tax, free school meals for all P1-3s, etc.

This election is not about independence. Many no voters haven't seen a sterling performance from Labour so voting SNP is a viable alternative without jeopardising the union - at this moment in time. If in five years there was another referendum, it doesn't mean that these no voters would be voting yes in that one either.

More to the point, what are England thinking voting Tory. And Clacton? Really? And for those who voted for Boris, you should be ashamed.

Bit insulting to say people will regret voting SNP, I certainly won't. Off to bed now - very happy with the 52 seats so far.

I didn't vote SNP but I can see why people in our area have. Apart from one knock on the door from a Labour Party campaigner the SNP is the only party really making the effort in lots of different ways. Very visual and have made efforts to make small but appreciated changes to the local environment.

I was thinking when I saw the big yellow map this morning.

I'm another one who isn't convinced by the SNP policies and am nervous about the continual council tax freeze etc.

I can see how it happened though, the Liberal Democrats have lost seats that were safe for years due to being in coalition with the Conservatives and although I thought a lot of what Labour said overall was ok, the Scottish campaign has been hopeless for years.

Not looking forward to seeing the overall UK result...

Sorry I went to sleep & sorry for referring to Scottish as a group. Nobody has actually answered my question though - so will Scotland now be protected from the welfare/benefit cuts the rest of the country is going to have to withstand? Or have they shit themselves in the foot?

Agreed god know why the English vote for Tories, just feel a bit let down by Scotland that the usual allies of the labour northern England are now essentially screwed. Not the Scottish fault but very depressing.

Shot themselves!

No, of course we won't be protected from welfare / benefit cuts. They've not been devolved to scotland.

Personally I'm thinking my husband is a fucking twat who I have lost all respect for. And that we have lost a brilliant hardworking MP to be replaced by a second rate nationalist councillor.

Scotland have just voted for independence and they can't even see it yet. Everyone is underestimating how ruthless this tory government will be. Will make the last 5 years look like a walk in the park. The Scots will want out after this.