To ask scots if they actually like Nicola sturgeon

[Karen85]

Just out of curiosity really because she and her voice make me cringe when i hear her on tv or radio.

Love scots though please don't get me wrong.

I can't stand the woman. NO to leaving the UK. NO to the SNP. NO to Sturgeon. I hear she's charming in person. Of course she is. That's clever. You should be charming in a public position. Doesn't mean it's not a facade. Plus I don't care how lovely (or not) a person may be I want them to run our country for us the right way and to respect our votes etc. She doesn't, like Salmond they just want independence at any cost. They divided Scotland and since they did it's been a worse place to live. The SNPs got to Westminster and behaved like bratty children. My teeth clench at the mention of them.

I think she's fab.

Willow but the the Scottish people keep voting her party in.

Cannot put into words how much I dislike her.

I really can't stand the woman and all she stands for.

Doesnt mean I have to like her.

If they concentrated more on other policies to strengthen Scotlands industry and NHS, and education system (which used to be one of the best in the world) instead of slashing budgets, ignoring social houseing crisis, promoting industry, energy renewal etc as much as she goes on about independance then we would be in a far better position.

Yes she is snp, but she is also supposed to represent the nations interests as a whole, not just those who voted snp.

I know people on both sides of the indie debate who wish she would drop it and concentrate on other things for a while.

I dont doubt she is intelligent, and good at debating, standing up for herself etc but the whole dog with a bone things grates on me.

I really don't rate her. She is like Salmond, a good speaker, but not much else. They have taken up the mantle of the 'left', and captured Labour votes. But her parties policies don't stray much from the right in the main.

I fundamentally disagree with free prescriptions, the cap on the council tax. I work in the NHS and see everyday the strain on front line services, my DH works for local government and we fear for his job - whole department's have been cut but their services are still required.

Education, Police, social care - all worse than they were when they came to power, but they continually blame Westminster and previous governments. They need to step up and take responsibility, they have been the party in power for the past decade - Govern for ffs. Use the powers they have , don't keep passing the buck.

I intensely dislike the undercurrent of anti-English sentiment they subtly (and at times, blatantly) stir up. The indy ref caused a huge rift in Scotland and it's nowhere near healed, just patched over, I feel another indy ref could cause huge social damage.

I'd argue that it was racism. Just like anti-Scottish, or Welsh, or Irish sentiments are deemed racism. Can't have it both ways

If you want to be pedantic which clearly you do it would be xenophobia, not racism. I experienced a fair amount of that when I went to uni in England, and there's also a fair amount of it from English politicians in Westminster aimed at Scots, just to even the balance a bit.
I like Nicola, I don't agree with all her politics, but I like her style and her manner when speaking. I also like Ruth Davidson, although we couldn't be more politically opposite if we tried, she's one of those strange people, a Tory with principles. Can't abide Kezia Dugdale, she speaks to everyone as if they're stupid and beneath her.
My absolute favourite SNP MP has got to be Mhairi Black though, she's brilliant!

I think she's doing a good job.

And I dislike people who judge female politicians by their voice / hairstyle / shoes/ figure.

I have no problem with those who who disagree with her policies or style of leadership. That's what she should be judged on.

I like Ruth Davidson but we cant vote for her in England sad to say.

I think i like the fact that NS's agenda is real and spoken about and she doesnt deviate from what they want. i know that all parties have one and everyone should read a manifesto before voting, but they dont and NS is good at her point across at every opportunity. I agree that Labour doesnt seem to know what it stands for now - Brexit has done them no favours. Its all very sad.

And I dislike people who judge female politicians by their voice / hairstyle / shoes/ figure

^ this times a million, fucking disgraceful that female politicians are spoken about in this way. I cannot abide Theresa May, or her shady policies and spin, but for people to pass comment on her appearance and clothing belittles her, intentionally, which is unnecessary and misogynistic. Ditto any of the female leaders of the UK.

As an aside I'm quite proud that all 4 countries which make up the United Kingdom are led by women who got where they are on merit.

I agree about not judging based on her image (much as I dislike her). I will pass occasional comment at home but only as much as I would pass comment on Farage's tie or Blair's hair (or lack thereof), it's an observation, I actually think she has got a lot better tbh in terms of hair and outfit...which I know is also judging, but you know what I mean, it's a private thought about it and I would have the same thoughts about a male leader those tartan trews!!!.

I like her very much. I'm even a member of the SNP, although I have my doubts about independence.

No she's a wee gobshite and not awfully nice.

John swinney on the other hand is great.

John swinney on the other hand is great.

ahh hahahahaha... your kidding aren't you? look at the mess he has made of the named person act - he lies through his teeth about everything. look at the mess hes making of education in Scotland.

Hes so far up Nicola sturgeons arse he can see derek mackays ankles!

what I find difficult to understand with NS is how she states she speaks for Scotland
An analysis of the voting in the EU referendum for scottish constituencies although all of them were a majority for remain only 2.6 million of the potential 4 million of eligible voters turned out to vote (about 64% then)
In addition 1 million of those 2.6 million voted to 'leave the EU' against 1.6 million who voted to 'remain'
What is NS doing for those 1 million leave voters and the 1.4 millon who did not vote in the referendum (cannot assume they were all remainers)?'
No-one seems to have done the appropriate 'pie chart' for that outcome and if I was a 'leave' scottish voter (who were the 38%) I would be a tad 'miffed' at being basically ignored.

I far prefer her to Teresa May. I'm not an SNP voter but the NHS in Scotland hasn't been partly privatised the way the NHS in England has. I'm not impressed with the secondary school exam changes which seem to have made things worse. I find her less irritating than kezia Dugdale.
As a personality I prefer Patrick Harvie or Ruth Davidson although I'd never vote for Ruth as a Tory.
I think Nicola is a capable principled politician.

I voted (and campaigned for) No in 2014, but the fact independence is still so firmly on the agenda I don't blame on Nicola Sturgeon or the SNP, I blame on:

1. David Cameron being an utter @rse on 19/09/14 - the way he announced English Votes for English Laws (and the SNP had previously generally abstained on England-only matters anyway) was guaranteed to stir up outrage - he had a chance to be gracious and statesmanlike and he chose instead to adopt the attitude of 'right, back to talking about England'

2. the cynical way the Tories used the situation in Scotland during the General Election. Having the referendum so close to the GE was always going to mean that tensions were still high, and obviously the SNP played up to it with Salmond's comments in particular, but he saw a chance to throw Labour well and truly under the bus and took it

3. Cameron's absolutely cack-handed efforts at EU negotiations and them steamrollering through the EU referendum so close to the Scottish elections. And his utter failure to plan for a Leave vote, and what it would mean for the UK as a whole and the constituent parts.

It is no wonder the debate here is still all about independence - there is no chance to have a break from campaigning for elections (2014 - Indyref, 2015 - GE, 2016 - Holyrood Election, EURef, 2017 - council elections, plus constant will there be another ref, will there be a snap GE) and the debate is constantly kept on the constitution because things never calm down enough. And Theresa May with her hard Brexit madness seems determined to keep stirring things up.

I still feel I did the right thing in 2014. I can't say with any certainty how I'd vote in another Indyref. And I think Nicola Sturgeon is doing a good job with the shitty hand of cards she's been dealt. The personal abuse and criticism of her is pathetic and sickening. Actually, the personal abuse of lots of female politicians is sickening. I'm probably a bit of a hypocrite though because I laugh at jokes about Trump's tiny hands.

I'm still unlikely to vote SNP, although if there is a GE related to this whole Brexit mess I will vote for whichever pro-EU candidate has the best chance, and let's face it in most Scottish constituencies that will be the SNP. I don't worship Sturgeon, but I'm a lot more prepared to listen to her than I was to Salmond (didn't like his blustering style at all).

Sorry just noticed that got a bit long - clearly angrier than I thought I was.

the NHS in Scotland hasn't been partly privatised the way the NHS in England has

erm yes it has. Scotland spends a huge amount of money on private work in the NHS. in fact the amount of money spent on private forms has more than doubled since SNP took over the NHS budget.

Loathe her. Didn;t think I could dislike anyone as much as Alec Salmond, but she proved me wrong.

She is a ruthless politician who is focused on independence at all costs. No wonder our education and Police services and everything else is falling to bits as they are all busy campaigning for independence. She rules her party harshly - her MPs and MSPs are not allowed to deviate from the party line. Ever. Much as we all laugh at the infighting in the Labour party, at least they have the freedom to disagree with their leader. SNP politicians are not allowed to do that - the Dear Leader's word is not to be disagreed with. I find that quite chilling.

Won't vote for her, never voted for her, can't conceive of any eventuality when I'd ever vote SNP. Was No, still No, hate the prospect of the country falling to bits around our ears while they campaign in endless referendums.

I'm not kidding. I don't agree with either of their politics but he's warm, personable, sharp, and attentive to detail. And he doesn't tend to grandstand.

If we had a thread about their politics that would be different but the question was do you like wee nic. I don't find her likeable but I do him.

Ruth Davidsons my favourite though.

I like her. I don't agree with all her policies but I do agree with most, and she's a strong and articulate leader.

Like her more than I used to but I'm sick of hearing about Indy 2. IMO it's just the same soundbites to detract from the lack of actual governance.

I'm bored of voting as well. We seem to be stuck in continual elections which means that difficult decisions are being put off so as not to lose votes.

I like Ruth Davidson. I'd really struggle to vote Tory though.

She has stolen the symbols of Scotland, our flag etc and make them represent a horrible racist attitude.

Agree - I'm as Scottish as they come but would feel very uncomfortable wearing or carrying anything with a Saltire as the SNP have stolen it for their own use. I'm quite cross about that.