Scottish General Election

[Differentforgirls]

Who are Scottish people voting for next month?

Labour returned money to Westminster because they didn't have the imagination or vision to explore what they could do with it. They live in the past, a past where one day if they keep doing the same thing and have the same message eventually the people will return to them.

I think politics in Scotland is in a dire state, but I think voting Labour to try and keep the SNP out is a pretty desperate mindset, too, because they have zero to offer anyone.

I realise this comment is a few weeks old, but had to reply.

Yes, I was rather surprised to read that comment too. I live in what was Mr Kennedy's constituency and it was absolutely disgusting how he was treated. It went way beyond the standard political attacks and banter and really opened my eyes towards some of my neighbours. I haven't voted SNP since.

But that is literally not how it works in Westminster, neither Foreign Secretary David Lammy nor Prime Minster Kier Starmer had any idea about Mandelson's vetting?

Why should politicians only be ultimately responsible for things in their department they knew about in the UK, but Scottish Government ministers be responsible for issues the Health Board handle and don't tell them about?

You do realise that the SNP consists of more than the people that were members in your area 12 years ago?

Of course I do, there is no need to be so patronising. And seeing as I can guess your next question, second vote Greens, first vote depends on who is standing and how I feel their policies will impact my local area and wider Scotland.

Didn’t mean to be but your post was about my posts saying it was unbelievable. Do you think I didn’t know about that abuse?

I wasn’t going to ask you another question.

Just joined?

I see the SNP faithful replying ti themselves with the usual mince

Maybe you need new glasses?

The United Kingdom is considered one of the most hyper-centralized, developed nations in the world, with London serving as the primary hub for politics, finance, media, and culture.

This differs from the United States, Germany, and even France, because of a unique combination of early unification, legal structures, and geographical factors that developed over centuries.

Here is why the UK is hyper-centralized compared to these nations:

1. Lack of Federalism and Parliamentary Sovereignty. Unlike the USA and Germany, the UK is not a federal state.Unitary Structure: In the UK, legal authority is concentrated in the Westminster Parliament. While Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have devolved legislatures, these powers are granted by Westminster and can, in theory, be revoked.No Written Constitution:

The UK lacks a single written constitution, meaning there are few constitutional safeguards guaranteeing local autonomy, unlike in the US.

1. Historical Development: Early Unification and ConquestThe UK unified much earlier than its peers, allowing centralization to become deeply embedded in its institutions.

The Norman Conquest (1066): William the Conqueror established a "blank slate" in England, replacing local nobility with loyal vassals. This created a strong central monarchy, whereas continental feudalism (France/Germany) allowed local lords to become practically independent.

Wessex Foundation: Early Anglo-Saxon reconquest of Danish-occupied lands under the Kingdom of Wessex allowed England to create a highly efficient, national taxation system early on.Compared to Germany: Germany did not unify as a nation-state until 1871, retaining multiple regional power centers (e.g., Bavaria).

1. Geography and Size.

Island Status: As an island, the UK had "clearly delineated boundaries," allowing the central government to focus inwardly.Small Size: The UK is small enough that it only needed one major city to manage its affairs, whereas larger nations like Germany and the US require multiple urban hubs.

The "London" Effect: London became the center of an empire, attracting wealth, banking, and talent, growing to a size that makes it an extreme outlier in economic output compared to regional cities.

1. Comparison to Other Nations:

United States: A federal system where states have constitutional sovereignty, independent tax systems, and power over education and law enforcement.

Germany: Strongly decentralized with Lander (states) holding significant power, and unlike the UK, Germany’s capital city (Berlin) has a lower GDP than other German cities, showing a more balanced economy.

France: While France is a unitary state like the UK, its history involved stronger regional cultures (like Alsace-Lorraine) that had to be incorporated over time. However, France has recently made more significant moves toward regional decentralization compared to the UK.

1. Culture and Government "Hoarding" Power - Whitehall Culture: The House of Commons Public Administration Committee noted a "prevalent culture in Whitehall" that is unwilling to let go of its levers of power.Financial Dependence:

Local councils are financially dependent on the central government for funding, reducing their autonomy.Uneven Devolution: England, holding over 80% of the population, has no separate parliament, leading to direct rule from Westminster and aggravating the central focus.

The UK’s "hyper-active incrementalism"—constantly changing local policies from the top down—has failed to solve regional inequalities, often exacerbating the dominance of London.

Independence does not necessarily have to be the answer, but neither is maintaining the status quo or worse, revoking devolution.

Constitutional reform is needed because the way that the UK is set up - dominated by London - harms us all economically at regional levels.

I have voted SNP/SNP because they are the thorn in Westminster's side - as is Burnham in Manchester.

London is the financial powerhouse of the UK and provides around 25% of the UK tax revenue.
England gets far less per head than the other 3 countries. So we are definitely subsidising other regions in the UK. Take away London and the rest of the UK woukd struggle.

48% wanted Brexit in Scotland, so very nearly half.

Scotland would be fucked with Scexit

So bored of the mince of nationalism

Away and fly your wee flags

This is nonsense.

Scottish vote -

Remain - 1,661,191 = 62%

Leave - 1,018,322 = 37.9%

Brexit was rejected by almost two thirds of Scots who voted, and "Remain" was the preference in every single Council Ward without exception.

Did someone force you to post?

London is a net contributor, but most subsidies paid to make it so are part of national debt.

But it costs a huge amount for the rest of the country to afford.

Edinburgh was a net contributor last year without massive subsidies, so it can be done. And if London is the only profitable region in the UK forever the whole place is doomed anyway.

You haven’t quoted how much Scotland pays in, compared to how much per head they get back. England pays in more per head and receives far less. You also run higher debt per person, which no doubt you will try and dump on the rest of the UK.

What debt, considering we have no borrowing powers and have to provide a balanced budget every year?

Btw there are only two net contributors in England. Most of it is skint.

62% voted to Remain

Look it up, there is plenty out there. What you are trying to say is you can keep spending what you want and hold no liability.

I don’t need to look it up. We can’t borrow. It’s that simple.

Because it makes sense to have the financial powerhouse in one area. But that area attracts people from everywhere. One of my daughters works there. So the contribution comes from far and wide. But if Scotland walks away, you won’t have a slice of that. I have lived in Scotland, so I know the passion to become independent.
But despite getting more money per head and having slightly higher taxes, your education system is failing and your NHS is even worse than ours. I don’t see how you can blame that on the rest of the UK.

I’m not blaming these untrue things on anyone. Have you wandered into a wrong thread or do you somehow have a vote on the 7th despite not living here?