To ask a question about the Scottish national party

[homebytheriver]

Hoping this won't dissolve into a bunfight as it's a genuine question, not accusatory in tone.

Most parties that have 'national party' (France, Britain and so on) after them follow a far right doctrine. What's different about the SNP?

Simple really, they don't.

The fact that it follows a social democratic doctrine?

They are more left wing than right wing.

They don't have to, that's why

Would you be able to tell me a bit more wonko?

So their policies are more in fitting with left of centre than right, is that correct?

There were a lot of trendy communist party members around when I was at uni.

I'm sorry, I'm puzzled by your question.

You've only cited two far right parties that use the word national.

Loads of parties and organisations use the word national - it's not a far right term, and doesn't by itself indicate anything about left or right.

The SNP is left wing. Not sure what you're asking really.

I think the SNP emphasise the N because their core belief is that Scotland is a nation in its own right which should be independent of the UK. The BNP and Front Nationale (sp?) aren't emphasising that the nation they are in should be independent of another, because both France and Britain already are.
This is just how I understand it of course and I would someone with more knowledge to explain far better!

I guess the national socialist party really buggered it up for everyone else.

The difference is that they don't follow a far-right doctrine. It's as simple as that really.

I'm puzzled too; I think I've confused myself! :)

But I am a bit confused about what their policies are bar independence from the rest of the United Kingdom. Yet UKIP who campaigned in a similar vein for independence from Europe, are generally deemed far right.

Thanks all, that makes sense.

It's not hard to find out about their political positions and record in government. When people hear nationalism they think racism. But there's more than one kind of nationalism and the kind the SNP subscribe to is civic nationalism. Read up on what that means.

I don't understand what you don't understand, are you bwin deliberately obtuse?

Of course not maria and I've tried very hard to phrase my posts carefully to avoid offence.

I do generally find since I started reading mumsnet I have a broader and more thorough political knowledge than previously. Hence my asking on here. It isn't always easy to understand all the issues as I am afraid I've never been to Scotland so asking a question isn't being obtuse - is it? Especially when I have accepted the answer :)

Well they have lots of policies, I'm sure they're on a website somewhere, but broadly they are left leaning.

The difference is that rather than looking to exclude as with other national parties, as Scotland is essentially a nation dominated by a country that is not its own, it's more about increasing our national value in its own right.

I've always voted snp and am pro independence and anti brexit. For me it's the party that allows us to form our own agenda in terms of social and economic plans as, as a country, we have completely different needs and wants to England. We have masses of uninhabited areas in the highlands and in these places with an ageing population a lot of what Westminster puts forth isn't helpful. Same with benefits when some areas are dependent on seasonal work so without benefits some families struggle out of season.

But I am a bit confused about what their policies are bar independence from the rest of the United Kingdom.

They have various policies on their website www.snp.org/policybase and
www.snp.org/our_vision

Thanks flowery, that makes sense :)

There are different types of Nationalism. There is the kind the BNP and the like subscribe too which would be classed as ethnic nationalism, like British people should come first.

The SNP have been very careful to subscribe to what is termed civic nationalism, which means it doesn't matter where you come from or ethnic background. There focus is based on political decisions being made in Scotland and not in Westminster. This appeals to lots of people in Scotland, especially since the Thatcher years when there was a sense of hopelessness and lack of influence in political decisions.