To wonder why people keep voting SNP?

[Carla786]

I don't know a lot about Scottish politics and I may be missing important things they've done. However, I used to have a lot of respect for Nicola Sturgeon but her handling of gender critical issues has destroyed that. The SNP do not seem very effective at reducing drugs, poverty, or other serious issues.
My understanding was that quite a few people vote SNP not because they want independence (which most Scots appear to not want) but because they think the SNP are more committed to Scotland sorcifically than Tories and Labour. How accurate is this though..?

Since most Scots appear to not want independence, I thought the SNP was probably high achieving in other areas & Tories & Labour seen as poor by comparison. Or is it more often seen as the best of 3 bad options? Or is SNP much more positive than the impression I've got?

Same btw 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥰

Sorry OP. The referendum was massive for us. I’m one of the 45% who voted Yes. If we’re ever allowed another one I’ll do it again. Plus, I actually think the SNP have mitigated a lot of the Tory policies (bedroom tax is one example) on a set budget which they can’t overspend on as we have limited borrowing rights.

I’m voting SNPX2 in May.

We have PR up here so not FPTP.

Every party gets seats = to their % of votes.

Apologise for our wee foray into Indyref.

How many regions of the UK are net contributors?

London and the south east. That’s it. All other parts of England and the rest of the uk benefit massively from the vast economic power house that is the city of London.

Yes. Scotland is third on the list. The “economic powerhouse”’was built using North Sea oil.

I wouldn't want to push Scotland out the UK It's like Scots seem to constantly want to say they want to be independent and leave and then take great offence when any English person says that ok.

I fully support independence if most Scots want that.

My issue is more with the SNP than independence.

'Plus, I actually think the SNP have mitigated a lot of the Tory policies (bedroom tax is one example) on a set budget which they can’t overspend on as we have limited borrowing rights.' -

I understand that. I don't doubt that they have had good policies, but I'm not convinced by their overall record (issues with record on women's spaces, drugs, education, poverty etc)
I understand new parties would form and SNP might well be voted out if independence were achieved.

I suppose the issue I'm wondering about is whether voting SNP continually to achieve independence is necessarily ideal if their issues continue. Even though they are still in power, independence does not have a clear majority.

It would be very unfair for people to say that wanting Scottish independence equals hating English people.

I think pps upthread were mainly talking about anti-English sentiment they had observed though,, not saying that all or most Scottish people who want Independence are anti-English.

Re Welsh independence- that isn't discussed so much anyway. Historically in England there has definitely been awareness of anti-English sentiment by NIrish independence supporters though . I mean, the Troubles reaching up to the 2000s were a clear sign that a minority of Irish independence supporters were anti-English. Obviously not most, but a minority were.

It does actually.

The thing people don’t get is that many Labour, Tory, Lib Dem and SGP members want Indy too but vote for the party they want to run the country at a general election (Scottish).

Re poverty see the Scottish Child payment, free prescriptions, free child care, free school meals, free travel for under 22s and over 60’s, free personal care for the elderly, free tuition at university etc etc etc.Re drugs, see consumption rooms. Re women, see coercive control now being a crime. Re education see record numbers of school leavers going to positive destinations.

All that on a limited budget when we are the third highest net contributor in the whole of the UK.

So I will continually vote SNP but not for Indy as that can’t be decided by a Scottish General Election.

And I will vote Yes in a referendum 😊

It’s not anti English, it’s anti UK. The Welsh want Indy too btw.

BTW most of Ireland isn’t part of the UK but all if Ireland was involved in the troubles.

On the other hand -

1140 disaster with a disspirited workforce and partner providers not being funded to a reasonable level.

Worst drug death rates in Europe.

Scottish student numbers being capped and massive financial issues for several Scottish Universities.

The long awaited Misogyny Bill, heralded as an alternative to sex being added as a category to the Hate Crime Bill, pushed back again and again finally dropped.

Record levels of violence against teachers in Scottish schools.

Anti social behaviour on buses due to unrestricted travel.

Prescriptions free for all. School meals free for all. Including those who could well afford to pay for them.

But Baby Boxes!

Who will you vote for? The rest of your post reminds me of Victor Meldrew. 🤣

No idea. I'm politically homeless. Certainly won't be the SNP though.

Every issue I've mentioned has been extensively reported upon -

clydeinsider.com/2025/05/27/funding-crisis-threatens-early-years-education-in-scotland/

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgn2gnkk93o.amp

www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-violent-injuries-against-school-staff-most-common-in-scotland#:~:text=Scotland%20has%20Britain's%20highest%20rate,schools%20trebling%20in%20a%20decade.

www.transport.gov.scot/news/taking-action-on-anti-social-behaviour-on-buses/

www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/news/guest-blog/the-financial-crisis-in-scottish-universities-and-its-impact-on-students-from-poorer-backgrounds/

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crkx31my24ro.amp

And I haven't even gotten onto the ferries, DBS, ill fated court cases etc.

But let's not be Victor Meldrews! Let's all wish really hard on a baby box!

None of these are ‘free’.

Stick Loch Lomond or Caledonia on, all will be fine 🤣. Devolved problems will be solved!

What’s your problem with baby boxes?

No.

at least they’re better for the babies than a slap which is illegal in Scotland.

I don't think @Waitwhat23 sounds like Victor Meldrew at all, they sound realistic. Yes the SNP have mitigated some of the worst bits of the previous UK Government's welfare reforms they've not really made a dent in poverty levels and they are now highly unlikely to meet their target of reducing child poverty to 10% by 2030. They've simply failed to take the redistributive approach that would be necessary to deliver this - they've not reformed council tax which is the most regressive form of taxation (and actually forcing councils to freeze rates for so long is now making it challenging for them to deliver the front line services that could help lift people out of poverty). And free school meals, free bus travel and free prescriptions are not redistributive because they benefit everyone. I'd much prefer that they target resources on those who need them most (for example I'd be happy to pay for school meals because at the moment the free school meals that are provided to all children below a certain age in our area are totally inadequate and I'd much prefer the budget to be spread less thinly and all children to get a better quality meal with those who can afford to pay doing so). There's also a lot of valid criticism of the SNP governing by announcement - they are good at making policy statements but less good at putting things into practice. Swinney said that he would change that when he become First Minister almost two years ago, but there's no sign of that happening yet!

You’re wrong.

Yes, all these.

Moreover, Differentforgirls, I mentioned women's spaces specifically, not just women. Imo the SNP let down women via the Gender Recognition Act..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-67993638.amp

The whole point about eg, free school meals being universal is that if everyone gets them then the stigma of being singled out disappears. Children from poorer families are entitled to dignity.

https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,baby-boxes-have-limited-impact-study-finds