To think that the election results in Scotland

[NowtSoQueerAsFolk]

Don't really tell us anything about any results from a potential independence referendum?

I've seen a lot of talk about the percentage vote for unionist parties being higher than the parties that are pro-independence, and a lot of talk about the SNP 'winning' the election - people on both sides seem to be taking this as a positive for their yes/no vote.

What I haven't seen anyone taking into account is the turnout. Around 66% - compared to 84% for the independence referendum. So 18% of the voting population have given no indication as to how they would vote in an independence referendum.

It's entirely possible (and maybe even likely) that they would have a similar split - but that's not guaranteed. That's a lot of potential votes, presumably by people that aren't so engaged with politics, so are maybe more likely to be swayed if one side manages to put across a more persuasive argument.

I think that for the undecideds, the unionst vote is likely to be the more persuasive (as it's what we know and we have been through so much change recently as it is, what with Brexit and Covid) but I don't think anything concrete can be taken from the election results.

I agree.

Labour doesn’t exist in Scotland really and many people are still very anti-Conservative. Plenty of people will vote SNP who have no desire for independence.

There just is no real opposition or other choice to make.

Yeah, some people are definitely voting SNP when they wouldn't vote for independence. I have a colleague that did. She is very anti-tory and feels that SNP are the only party in Scotland that will stand up for Scotland within the UK, without their voices being drowned out by being a very small number of Scottish voices within a big party. I can see her point.

But there are also people voting for SNP because they want independence who would vote conservative or labour after independence.

Agree with that too AgentProvocateur. I think Labour in particular have lost swathes of votes to the SNP.

Good point, I hadn't considered the turnout.
Although I wonder if people are feeling fatigued with the whole thing and wouldn't bother voting in a second referendum either.

I would be interested to know from the people that think I am being unreasonable, why do you think the results accurately reflect how an independence referendum would go?

Although I wonder if people are feeling fatigued with the whole thing and wouldn't bother voting in a second referendum either

It's not just independence, we seem to have been on a never-bloody-ending rollercoaster of votes in the last few years. What with Independence, Holyrood, Brexit and as many general elections between 2015 and 2019 as we had between 1998 and 2014!

I agree, especially as even if the SNPs wish is granted and there is IndyRef2, it will be at least a couple of years away.

@ConstantlySeekingHappiness

I agree.

Labour doesn’t exist in Scotland really and many people are still very anti-Conservative. Plenty of people will vote SNP who have no desire for independence.

There just is no real opposition or other choice to make.

Labour doesn't exist anywhere at the moment. They were the party who dominated the westminster vote when I was growing up. Looking at the seats now, it definitely tells you something but I don't think it's necessarily that there's an appetite for independence.

Labour doesn't exist anywhere at the moment*

They've done well in Wales, with half the seats at the Senedd.

The Tories often come second across Scotland (they did in Westminster elections) so I think it's wrong for SNP and Labour to talk of them as an irrelevancy, Though I can see why that narrative suits them.

If Scotland wants to leave, then of course it should go. I'm not persuaded that a new referendum would give a different result. And am mildly pissed off that a once in a generation vote lasted only 7 years

My mum was really dithering about who to vote for as none of the parties really appeal. She voted SNP in the end because it’s the current MP and she really does a lot of great work for the local community.

And am mildly pissed off that a once in a generation vote lasted only 7 years

Me too. More than mildly tbh. Not because of the 'once in a generation' thing, which wasn't ever an official thing, but because of Brexit. If it wasn't for Brexit we wouldn't be looking at another independence referendum, and I didn't want bloody Brexit.

And am mildly pissed off that a once in a generation vote lasted only 7 years

On one hand, I can't disagree. But on the other, remember all the promises pulled out the hat to sway the vote at the last minute? I can't get annoyed about it.

I do think devo max should have been an option - I think for a lot of us that would be enough.