Scotsnet does not represent Scotland

[kamalasshaman]

At a time when polls are showing unprecedented support for independence and even John Curtice agrees the polls are clear, why is Scotsnet such a bastion of unionist opinions? Is it just due to the demographic of Mumsnet? Why has this site become such a right wing enclave?

I think saying people are right wing is really meant to be an insult.

Why would scotsnet have lots of people slagging the tories off when it's snp that are in power here?

It's not an insult, there is a much more prominent right wing voice on here than would be expected. And a very anti independence voice - not always the same thing but often.

I think it's just the demographics of those who use mumsnet. I'm pro independence and honestly don't feel too welcome posting on scotsnet.

I think quite a few posters, myself included, keep their political opinions to themselves.
I don't mind a rational debate but much prefer to do it in person as it's easier to get your point and tone across as it can sometimes be misconstrued when written down.
Have to say a lot of my friends who were against independence have totally changed their mind. I am very much pro independence and always have been. I'm always interested to hear other views but when it turns into a bitchfest I quickly lose interest.
Horses for courses, would be a very dull world if we all thought the same.

I thought of the current Coronavirus threads as a place to discuss and moan a bit about new rules so really that's bound to include having a moan at the current rule makers.

Maybe start some positive threads and you'll find like minded folk.

@kamalasshaman

It's not an insult, there is a much more prominent right wing voice on here than would be expected. And a very anti independence voice - not always the same thing but often.

It's a bit of a paradox though as right wing by definition includes nationalists.......

Many people would associate right wing with the extremist elements. To me being called right wing for the lib dems is a bit of a insult I associate the term "right wing" as being associated with EDL!

I find it interesting that despite snp winning around half of the vote, from mn youd think they only got 10% and were hated universally. However I wouldn't necessarily class those against snp/independence as right wing, although some will be. I guess there is just a higher demographic of anti snp/independence people on mn than there is in real life. A bit like there is a much higher number of high earners on mn than real life. Also there is a couple of rabid anti snp posters on mn who sometimes turn up and quite honestly they can be a bit tedious.

I agree that many posts/posters are anti snp but part of that is because the SNP are in power and people don't think they are doing a good job. Supporters generally just say how they feel that the SNP are better than the tories and haven't really given details of things they think have been done well. I don't agree that there are many right wing posts or posters but happy to be shown examples?

It's really up to supporters to post positive threads if they want a change of tone.

It's a bit disingenuous to say post positive threads- anything starting off positive about Scotland gets derailed quickly into "Scotland is Great but no thanks to the SNP"

Mostly it's snidey Nicola comments rather than some in depth examination of the government's failings to be fair.

Her 'shag me' shoes stand out as a particularly cringeworthy comment.

It is what it is. People are allowed to think what they like but let's not kid on this is nuanced political commentary. It's usually just a bitch fest.

I find posting anything pro Scottish indy has ended up with me being told I've got a chip on my shoulder / am anti-English (I'm not!) / I'm ridiculous / don't know what I'm talking about / etc etc, that I've posted far less over the years. The sneering gets me down. I'm so bored of hearing how the SNP used to be called tartan Tories.

I don't see Scotsnet posters as right wing particularly but there are some very unionist posters who are all over anything that might be construed as positive for independence. Which sadly means they simply can't back the SNP no matter what they do. It means Scotsnet has a distinct anti-Scottish tone sometimes. Someone posts asking for a good area to move to in Scotland and there are many posts giving it "oh god, why would you want to move here, the SNP have ruined education/the NHS" etc, it breaks my heart.

The unionists may not be natural Conservative voters but because "Scottish" Labour have imploded, they sometimes have no choice but to vote Tory to try and beat the SNP. Although how anyone who isn't naturally a conservative voter could bring themselves to vote for the Tories, i can't tell you. Particularly with Boris, and Brexit. If you vote for Tories when you're not a Tory, you deserve Brexit and whatever else they dish up. In my opinion.

Thank the lord, unionists are no longer the majority. It's a shame that means Scotland is no longer allowed democracy - there is only one reason why a vote on independence will no longer be allowed and we all know what that is. It wouldn't matter if 2014 was one year or twenty years ago. "Once in a generation" is a pathetic argument against it, but it's all they've got.

Somebody on Twitter said today: "Scots are now being told by the Westminster government and by representatives of political parties polling around 20% that there is simply no way to democratically bring about a second independence referendum.

Pause, go back, and read that again."

It's true. And this is after our democratically elected Scottish government won an election partly the back of the promise that if Scotland was taken out of the EU against our will, we would have another referendum. How is this in any way fair or democratic?

@Nyx absolutely!

Ok I was thinking more the left wing thing.

@Wbeezer

My SNP is a dick too *@Bloodypunkrockers* I wonder if they are the same one. My MSP is decent. This is reminding me of the feminist board being accused of being right wing because they are gender critical. Such a fundamental lack of understanding of others viewpoint and lack of willingness to even try to understand.

An ex "pop/rock star"

@Bloodypunkrockers I'm not getting into that argument but gender critical is becoming increasingly a right wing view

I'm gender critical and am very far away from right wing. I vote SNP and am happy that there are some GC voices in it, trying to give some balance.

@kamalasshaman

It's a bit disingenuous to say post positive threads- anything starting off positive about Scotland gets derailed quickly into "Scotland is Great but no thanks to the SNP"

I don't get this, if your argument is so strong then what does it matter if people post anti things?

Personally I don't have any interest in joining in a thread where people who want independence and support the SNP and who want to have a general chat and form relationships or a general support group.

If it's a thread for a bit of a debate or about a subject that affects both sides then that's different and I think it's appropriate for different views to be aired.

I love being Scottish and love Scotland. I don't hold with people being slagged off for their looks or things they can't help, Nicola's shoes? meh. I have no real interest in that but people seem to have no issue with Boris being slagged off for how he dresses or has his hair and that's meant to be funny. Unless someone is wearing something completely inappropriate then I don't really notice or care.

I have more interest in someone's honesty and integrity than what they wear.

I dont recognise the Scotland I live in by many of the posts here. We are low earners, very working class, both from schemes. Our kids did great at a very good school, both at uni, good education, decent area to live in, 3 bed house much less than 180k, we are a traditionally labour voting house but would like to see independence.

I dont see the utter mess my country is portrayed here.

I wasn't being disingenuous.

I jusr really like to give my "useful" advice.

I was originally gender critical but have changed my view. When you see some of the people that are aligning with it now and when you start to understand the legal protections which exist. There are things I don't agree with but Twitter has poisoned an argument which shouldn't be difficult to resolve.

Wax, tbh I see a lot of the snipey Nicola comments here and they are downright bitchy, boris Johnson gets more the lovable buffoon comments.

Not right wing (but Kama's view of what is right and what is left is ridiculous). Voted SNP to get a Tory out and have the most vile MP now. Frying pan - fire. Also ridiculous to say you're right wing if you comprehend that it's men who have penises rather than pretending you can't tell the difference.

Honestly @Wax I can't believe you've just said you would let a nice chatty positive thread about independence alone.

The gender stuff bores the arse off me.

"Ridiculous" ✅