Are Scots truly that Left Wing?

[ragged]

The SNP seems to have a very left-of-centre political agenda and set of policies. Separate from their aim of independence.

If every party campaigning in Scotland was equally pro-independence, would as many Scots still vote SNP because they still liked their left wing policies best?

I've sometimes wondered if SNP would plummet in popularity post independence, because maybe most Scots don't truly support their other priorities & policies (or do they?)

NS is after nother referendum because the Scots got the lst one wrong

Need to fix my a key

ROFL at Stacey's comment!

Scotswhahae and Blowin, if you still display your Yes posters and stickers, you're not giving the impression that you have moved on I am afraid.

Sturgeon might be saying that another referendum is the only way to independence. The trouble is, they also said the last referendum was a once in a lifetime event, but then started to hedge about that after the No voter I recall correctly.

Alex Salmond said the Indy ref was a once in a generation opportunity, not once in a lifetime.

He's no longer the leader though.

There will be another Indyref. The only question is when. Before 2020 is probably too soon. But I can't see it being later than 2030. It depends on things like an EU referendum and the outcome of this and the next UK general elections and the next (2) Scottish elections.

I think with regards to the original question (left or right) we need to distinguish between social left/right sentiment (lots of Scots are more right wing re:social issues) but economically I'd say Scottish people are more left wing (tax the rich/ scandanavian style welfare system).

Once in a generation - yes. That's what I meant. Thanks.

And agree with your last para Jackie. A good distinction to make.

Absolutely moved on. Focussing on different things whilst independence is on the back burner. Fracking, local planning issues and my involvement with CND. I put a lot of energy into my yes vote. It was an exciting, liberating and powerful time for me. And just because the vote didn't go the way I wanted it to, independence is still my ideal.

Moving on doesn't mean pretending it didn't matter.

Of course there will be another referendum in time.

Keep your stickers on your car - it is 'your right'
but if SNP wont ever hold another Referendum, why would you bother?

And yes, of course there is more than one way to skin a cat.
I know two MSP's.
Both SNP.
Both are quite clear that the IndyRef only went NO because people were lied to by Westminster and that the Scottish people should be given another chance 'as soon as possible'.
Whatever Nicola says in public.

Sorry, x post Scots

The thing is, whilst you say Independence is 'on the back burner' and 'still your ideal' that is fine. You can hold whatever opinions you wish (obviously) and it sounds like you are campaigning on some good stuff meantime.

The thing is, the SNP feel the same as you.
Independence is only 'on the back burner' for them too.
It is still 'their ideal' despite a clear mandate for NO from the Scottish People. They aren't representing the wishes of Scotland if they still aim for Independence. And, clearly, they do.

Wellthatsit I haven't moved on and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I'll try and make the best of a shit situation though with DC at the helm.

Of course the SNP want independence.

No one has said otherwise. You don't need to know an SNP MSP to figure that out. The ONLY way to become independent is to win a referendum. But there's no referendum planned is there?

The SNP have existed for a long time. They lasted 20 years between the first referendum and devolution. Then hung about for another 15 years for a referendum. They're playing the long game

Let's not pretend there's no desire for it. 45% of voters wanted it. That's a lot of people to ignore forever more wouldn't you agree?

Or 44.7% before someone chips in.

I find it interesting that the rise in popularity for independence coincides with the recession and DC's premiership. Before that, support was around 25% and briefly up to 35%.

The numbers swelled as people got more disillusioned with the CURRENT Westminster government, and became willing to throw away stability and hundreds of years of Union based on that, a union that many were quite happy with before, or quite complacent about before.

It now feels like the norm for many people to support independence, but it is a very recent thing for many people. I am amazed at how gung ho people have become about splitting up the UK. And it seems the immense optimism and faith in independence is based on immense cynicism and anger at the unionists (at least that is what the new 20% of independence supporters have based their thinking on, it seems. Maybe more die hard Indy supporters are different).

Support for independence declined to 20% during the height of what got called the Scottish Raj (by Alex Salmond amongst others), so I imagine that a good many Scots reckoned they had a sufficient voice in government to protect their interests.

Even back in the mid-90s it was 33% with some polls putting it in the 40s.

by contrast, the 2014 referendum couldn't have been held in conditions that suited the nationalists better. Tory-dominated government. Austerity. Tonnes of quantative easing (ie, virtual money-printing) which benefited only rich people, who mostly live in the SE. And an utterly, utterly lousy, totally negative No campaign. Yet, Yes still lost.

I would be astonished if the average SNP member didn't want independence. However, they make up only a fraction of the Scottish population. The noises Nicola Sturgeon seems to be making now is that the SNP will fight for reform within the UK if that is what Scots want. That all makes perfect sense. Why should the SNP keep on insisting on independence right now so soon after the referendum?

(BTW I wouldn't be surprised if Nicola Sturgeon genuinely did want Cameron back in No 10. If independence is your goal, the best result would be another 5 years of Tory government because of the resentment this will cause).