Historic night for Scotland

[fartingfran]

Spine tingling stuff!

I am not convinced that people voting for SNP did so in protest tbh. I think they voted SNP as they believe that SNP are the only true party to lead Scotland and to protect it's interests...

I DO NOT LIKE the SNP. It's an inbred hatred, borne by many years of my grandfather proclaiming them 'The Scottish Tories'. Like most politicians in the running, I just don't trust them. But I will never vote Lib Dem ever again in my life after what they did coalition-wise, I will never vote Tory and Labour are an epic fail.

IMO, the SNP have reaped grand rewards out of being the best of a bad bunch.

And I really hate to say it, but for some strange reason I am with them this time - I just have this feeling that the further away we can get from Tory/lib dem politics in Westminster, the better...

Precisely my point threelittleducks.

I think a lot of others feel the same way.

Which is why I don't think Scotland will be independent any time soon.

I'm just wondering what exactly would happen if we were to become independent? Can we play 'if?'

I'm aware of the basics, but not the intricacies, and I believe, as with anything, the devil is in the detail.

I would be interested to see what others would think would actually happen as a result of independence?

Well Eck used to give Iceland and Eire as examples of what Scotland could achieve. Been strangely quiet about those ones of late. Can't think why...

I still dont think the economics stack up long term over university fees/NHS care entitlements etc. Basically the SNP is buying short term popularity and votes over long term sustainability. The scots will just have to suffer 10/20 years later than the rest of the UK.

I lived most of my life in Scotland and love it. I was horrified however after leaving for 5 years, to return and read the Scottish broadsheets and see how parochial they had become. Yes, it is different from other areas of the UK because of historical factors, but frankly globalisation comes to us all.

I am not a Conservative supporter. Just someone who has been involved in politics one way or another most of my life (studied Politics at Glasgow Uni!)

The SNP still have a long, long way to go to convince voters to opt for independence imvho. It's probably the biggest single issue any of us will ever vote on and I think/hope it won't be taken lightly.

I am concerned that too much time will be taken up with the independence campaign rather than actually running the country.

The independence campaign didn't stop them getting on and running the country in the last Parliamentary session....

Even when Wendy Alexander famously told Alex Salmond to "bring it on"....

I'm another life long liberal democrat who gave my vote to the SNP.
I could never vote lib/dem again, they sold out big time.

Bloody hell....SNP may be on for a majority!!!!!

Looks like they're dead-set for a majority. Cannot believe the results coming in at all.

Without wishing to take anything away from the SNP, I think a positive that will come out of this is that the other parties will really have to pull their fingers out in terms of trying to improve popularity/public opinion. The Scottish parties are still so linked to the UK counterparts, no wonder the LibDems are getting gubbed in every constituency. Maybe now Tavish Scott and Nick Clegg will realise just how angry people are with the decisions they're making. Likewise, and it pains me to say this, Labour need to take a long hard look in the mirror. Gone are the days of Tory VS Labour, the Tories are a waste of time in Scotland now. Labour needs to regroup and restructure if they stand any chance of making an impact in the next election.

First priority for Labour should be is to select a new leader!!

'And I would feel so sorry for the northern counties of England who have always relied on the Scottish votes as a bulwark against the Tory south.'

Don't feel sorry for them. Without Scotland to fund they'll receive more £££ from the wealthy south-east and London.

I agree, K999.

I don't understand why the Tories have not suffered more. Can people really be blaming the Libdems for everything - cuts etc? How is that justified? It must be because we don't like politicians who break their promises even more than we don't like millionaire Toryboys. (Although some people clearly do like the Tories. ). Take note, SNP, and don't let your new power go to your heads ...

I voted SNP for the first time ever yesterday. I am 42 and a life long Labour supporter.

I have been suprised and impressed by the SNP over the past few years and felt that they at least deserved another term to see how far thay can take Scotland.

Labour have been totally ineffectual. The election campaign was a disgrace. It's as if they think well its Scotland and we are Labour so we dont have to worry or work for the votes. WRONG!

I would never ever ever vote Lib Dem now. Not even for tactical voting reasons.

As for Independence, well I dont think I want that. I have always considered myself to be British. However I will now have to give it some serious thought. I shall see how well the SNP do over the next 3-4 years and see what things are like at Westminster and in Britain as a whole.

Interesting times ahead.

MFF...the last Parliamentary session saw an SNP minority government. Because of this, they relied quite a lot on the Tories to get policies through, ie, 1000 more police officers etc. Perhaps people, who may have thought the SNP may have been in the same position, wanted to make sure they had the Tories there to get policies which they both agreed on, through.

I meant to add:

If you had told me a few years ago that I would ever vote SNP I would have told you not to be ridiculous. If I can change my mind on that then there is maybe a chance that I could be persuaded about Independence.

I would consider myself to be a fairly left wing, Old Labour socialist. If I have been won over by the SNP then it is hardly suprising that so many Labour votes have been lost.

K999 I was thinking more about the Tories in England. Re Scotland, didn't Salmond say before the elections that he would not join with the Tories this time?

Did he not mean form a coalition?

Maybe. Would you say the SNP were more left than right-wing?

They are IMO a centre left, social democratic party....

Hope so, K999.

I suppose more intriguing than why people vote Tory is why the Labour vote collapsed in Scotland. I wonder if other people felt like you, Jacaqueen? I almost voted SNP, but just couldn't bring myself to vote for any party with Nationalist in their name. I decided that the Scottish Labour Party was a different animal from the national Labour Party, and had a generally better track record than their Westminster counterparts.

Scottish Labour are a different animal....they are the puppies of the dogs at Westminster. They are one in the same. How can they be anything else?