To change my mind about voting Labour if they are to be in coalition/propped up by the SNP?

[LeCreusetQueen]

Just that really. Having read the Manifestos, I had decided to vote Labour, but the possibility of them being in coalition with or propped up by the SNP, has given me serious doubts.

I still feel bitter about the introduction of university tuition fees south of the border and, no disrespect to the Scots, but I really don't want them having the casting vote in matters which are of no direct concern to them.

I actually rather liked DC's idea of increased devolution - within the EU, that is, not sure now, but then everything seems unsure at the moment.

I've never understood this fear of coalitions. It's idiotic.

People say "but wee need a strong government", and so we end up a strong extreme government doing things they don't want. Coalition governments are great because they prevent the extremes of either side, meaning you end up with consensus politics, to the benefit of everyone.

It's, frankly, stupid.

"Wee"? That damned SNP must be getting to me!

Bollocks

Labour/SNP would be a million times better than Tories

As an English non-SNP voter in Scotland, I don't think Nicola Sturgeon is anti-English or that the SNP are a "one-trick pony party." I appreciate lots of people in England are massively unaware of politics in the other nations, though.

"I am generally a little bit surprised that Labour always do rule out a coalition government. Perhaps someone with more knowledge could shed some light on to why they do this?"

I suspect it's because the last time they went into coalition, in 1977 with the Liberals, it didn't work well.

We had a Lab-LD coalition in Scotland until 2007. Did okay. Wish Labour would be a bit more open to the idea nationally. But I think we're all so used to FPTP that coalitions sound terrifying.

I appreciate lots of people in England are massively unaware of politics in the other nations, though.

I am not unaware of Scotland's politics; I lived there for many years until recently.

Such a scare tactic that the opening post seems a bit.. . convenient.

Exactly - Tories now worried about shrinking poll lead - deploy SNP scare argument.

I've never understood this fear of coalitions. It's idiotic.

Problem is at the moment with a coalition on the biggest issues such as Brexit the parties fundamentaly disagree with each other to a point where I don't know how you would get round it.

Also independence. Labour supposedly pro union. SNP not. How do you square that circle?

There are quite a few very knowledgeable political pundits that say if there was a coalition it would fail before the end of the year and we would have to go again.

but I really don't want them having the casting vote in matters which are of no direct concern to them.

Like we do with many Scottish matters? ;-)

I don't know if there will be a coalition or not, but it's not something I fear. The SNP and the Greens have some very capable (potential) MPs, I would look at it as an opportunity to be able to draw from a greater pool of talent.

The idea of the SNP ruling the UK is enough for me to change my vote, it scares the bejesus out of me.

If the Scots MPs had abstained the tuition fee bill would have failed. So yes, the SNP forced it through and the people that it affected can never show their disapproval by voting against them.

Don't be frightened because is not going to happen.

NS will force Corbyn to stay in the EU and then she will breakup the UK and expect England to pay for it all.

YABU

Corbyn has clearly stated there will be no coalition with the SNP.

It's May who does U turns, not him so you'll be safe from those pesky Scots.

I am not unaware of Scotland's politics; I lived there for many years until recently.

That's cool - many people in our own country have a fairly basic and reductive understanding of the parties who aren't their own, too And I would absolutely extend that to those on the left who think the Tories just hate Scotland as proved by the Poll Tax as well.

The SNP at this point are basically New Labour. I did not love New Labour and would much rather have a socialist Labour govt in power, but I don't think it would be Armageddon if they had some kind of confidence-and-supply agreement with either the SNP or LDs or both. But: it's massively massively unlikely to happen, because if we aren't headed for an increased Con majority I will eat my hat.

I'm English, living in Scotland and voting SNP! There's nothing to be scared of, you're just believing the press.

I doubt they would go into coalition as the two parties hate each other. But I wish they would, as there's a lot they agree on. If I wasn't voting SNP I'd be voting labour.

Corbyn will give anyone money, promise anyone anything, make any coalition he needs to, to bring back communisim hard left socialism.

YABU. Even if we don't gain enough seats for a majority, so what? The SNP aren't the worst party in the world and I'd rather have any left-wing party over 5 more years of the vile Tories.

What's this fear of coalitions? Other countries manage with them and research shows they're actually better as each side stops the other from going too far and they have to work together to compromise. If we go to PR or the AV system, coalitions will become regular.

So if The idea of the SNP ruling the UK is enough for me to change my vote, it scares the bejesus out of me. and Corbyn will give anyone money, promise anyone anything, make any coalition he needs to, to bring back communisim hard left socialism. are true, who were you thinking of changing your vote from and to Leg0?

How do you feel about Tory governments propped up by Ulster Unionists? After all, NI gets the highest spending per head in the UK. Devolved parts of the UK get budgets based on a whole heap of factors, including what is spent in England. They just make their own decisions how to spend the money.

And thanks to EVEL, Scottish MPs are now excluded from voting on solely English/English and Welsh matters, so your worry about casting votes is less serious than you might think.

If you would prefer a Tory government vote for one. If you'd prefer a Labour government but are slightly concerned that on a few issues the government might seek consensus with other parties, then I'd suggest that all governments make concessions, and Theresa May in particular zig zags backwards and forwards according to Daily Mail headlines and opinion polls.

The SNP will not be ruling the UK. They have some common ground with other parties, and I'd expect them to vote on that basis. For me, this election is coming down to whether I want a Tory government or not (and I don't). You have to decide what the most important thing for you is.

The SNP aren't the worst party in the world HUh They want to keep us in the EU and take us out of the UK. WTF

thanks to EVEL, Scottish MPs are now excluded from voting on solely English/English and Welsh matters Factually incorrect.

Leg0
Pretty factually correct - I should possibly have expanded the comment to say matters with no impact to Scotland. Because a lot of votes have budget consequences for Scotland, there are very few votes they are excluded from just now. Because they have an impact. Can you imagine the fuss if London MPs were excluded from voting because they have their own assembly?

And I believe the current SNP position is that they would like to stay in the single market, although their long-term aspiration is Scotland in the EU. Which is what Scotland voted for. But we voted as part of the UK so the SNP have to formulate a policy based on how things are.

TheSNP wouldn't rule the country any more than the lib dems did when they were in coalition, they simply slightly (very slightly very occasionally) reduce the worst impacts of the leading party