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?

Anti-SNP is not anti-Scottish. In fact if you live here you probably want things to be going well (I do) and that's why you'd be critical of the terrible SNP.

Being against separation does not mean you are right wing, of course.

It seems that separatists need to paint those who disagree with them as Scotland-hating Tories because it's much easier than actually making a rational case.

I am pro indy. Voted yes and will again. Not particularly pro SNP but see them as a means to an end for the moment.

I've said that for a long time but noone ever starts one. I'm not doing it for you. The only reason I commented on a positive one before was because someone tagged me in it.

I don't know who that was though as posters seem to frequently change their names which is obviously allowed but means it makes it harder to form any relationship. Also feels like you are constantly on the back foot as they know who you are and they are obviously a longer term poster but you don't know who they are.

According to Karma, the Labour party is far right. So ridiculous, yes.
If we don't vote SNP or their brethren the Greens, we're right wingers.

The name change is a pain but there are certain posters on here who have a habit of getting very bitchy towards anyone who supports Independence and trying to close them down.

@ssd I'm not saying there aren't comments, but I find there is plenty of things to moan about in terms of their actions and what they say that reducing the argument to name calling isn't really required.

I don't like what they stand for, I don't believe they act in the best interests of the people of Scotland, I don't believe they act with honesty or integrity and I think they are doing a crap job of running the country.

Enough there to complain about without worrying about shoes. That's not to say I don't find some of it really funny but that's the nature of people and sometimes folk need to get taken down a peg or two. Probably something us Scots are quite famed for.

@slitheringsnakes the Labour Party supported Brexit last time I looked. That and some of Keir Starmers pronouncements, abstaining on various benefit, immigration and poverty votes... right wing, and I would class Greens and SNP as left but only just. Hardly the socialist workers.

'Taken down a peg or two' what a mentality to have.

No we Scots aren't famed for using a woman's appearance to take her down a peg or two. At least not as far as I know. And no it's not funny either. It's misogynistic bullshit.

Eh Kurt? I've already said I don't hold with people slagging off people's looks but if they are slagging off the shoes someone chooses to wear, I couldn't care less.

I can't see that it's right wing to reject independence, neither can I see how we would be better off in an independent Scotland. Why would we want to create further disruption when the post Brexit dust has yet to settle and we are in the midst of a pandemic?

If Scotland was allowed to rejoin Europe, what would that mean for our trading relationship with England and the Scotland England border? There is never any explanation from the SNP of how an independent Scotland would operate, how it would finance itself, what would happen about currency, defence etc. If anyone is able to explain how all that would work, I'd be open to considering independence but, without that detail, I don't see how any voter can make an informed decision.

I also have no interest on whether she is a woman or not, if slagging off nicola is all about her being a woman then what so we call it when the same people are slagging of Salmond or Boris?

I hate folk making it about misogyny when it's nothing of the sort.

Then you said 'That's not to say I don't find some of it really funny but that's the nature of people and sometimes folk need to get taken down a peg or two. Probably something us Scots are quite famed for.'

And I politely disagree. I don't think we're famed for shitty behaviour at all.

You can politely disagree if you want. I disagree that we can badge criticism or humour directed at the leaders of this country as misogyny because one of them happens to be a woman. I don't care what sex they are or whether they are gay or straight.

@SteamPudding hit the nail on the head! I have exactly the same issues with it all and then people say that brexit voters believed what was said..... To me it's the same until someone shows me figures, how the economy is going to function then I see no difference between independence and pro brexit campaigns!

I agree op that scotsnet is not typical at all of scotland. The snp get about half the vote but you wouldn’t believe it on here with unite a few angry unionists.

Okay doke @WaxOnFeckOff.

@WaxOnFeckOff - people slag off Nicola differently though or at least some so. Calling her jimmy krankie, wee nippy etc.

There is a bullying and sneery attitude on scotsnet if you support the SNP and like Nicola Sturgeon. I remember 1 comment about how Glaswegians would vote for a dog turd if it was wearing an SNP badge. It means that I don’t usually bother posting anymore. It’s unpleasant and completely stifles any chance of a reasonable debate.

That's not slagging her, that's just bringing her down a peg or two. Putting her in her place. And some people find it funny so it's okay and perfectly acceptable.

@RubbishRobotFromTheDawnOfTime not really though. The majority of people in Scotland are not critical of the SNP. They are happy with them and vote for them. Not everyone of course but about half which is very high for a political party in power. So op definitely has a point

It's a strange place Scotsnet. I avoided it for years after being sneered at but I don't care now.

Well I'm pretty left wing but won't support independence while we have essentially a one party state.
Any democracy needs effective opposition and quite honestly the Scottish Parliament doesn't have that. The nodding that goes on in unison to everything that NS says is ridiculous and the fact that party members can't openly criticise or disagree doesn't really fill me with any confidence.
I think the current SNP administration has done well in some areas and fairly badly in others (and it hasn't always been Westminsters fault!)
I wouldn't be totally opposed to independence if I was confident that we would be going into it with a number of strong Scottish parties. A one party independent state gives me the shivers.

@CayrolBaaaskin, well yes they do and I'm not going to police what other people choose to do, i think there is a lot less of that type of name calling than there is in general on other forums. But NS is not unique in being a person in power and being called nicknames but no-one seems to care if it's anyone else. I obviously just don't get the love.

I've agreed with many posters that I think she works hard and that she gives (or certainly gave) a good presentation. She is very focussed on what she wants and will do anything to get there. I just don't like or trust her in the same way that others feel about other politicians. the difference being that the party in power will get more questioning and criticism which is as it should be. If you think that we wouldn't be sitting here slagging off the Labour party or Tories or whoever if they were running things this poorly then that's wrong.

I find lots of what the SNP do very calculated and sinister but then I don't believe in what they are doing and think they focus on that to the detriment of doing a decent job of the running the country.

Others have different opinions clearly.

@Terracottasaur

Being anti independence is not the same as being right wing. That said, I do think MN is pretty right wing generally.

I agree that threads in Scotsnet are very anti SNP and can be vitriolic about Nicola Sturgeon. It's not pleasant. I have commented a couple of times on the long running threads in an effort to join in, but definitely don't share the views of many so don't feel comfortable.

I am going to vote yes for independence if we are given another chance but will be going back to voting Labour rather than SNP in the future.