Anyone else unsure who to vote for?

[swiggless]

Used to be a Labour supporter but they don't stand in my constituency (or when they do, they come 5th or 6th). It's between SNP, Lib Dem and Tories (in that order) here. I physically can't vote for the latter two, however I'm not enthusiastic to vote SNP, despite voting for them previously. Greens aren't standing either. I hate the idea of spoiling my ballot but I genuinely don't know what to do. Anyone else in the same situation (not necessarily stuck between the same parties)?

Maybe we just disagree. Again, we're back to SNP voters too thick to comprehend the situation.

(and I'm not actually an SNP voter this time round so not sure why I'm sticking my nose in but...I'm stuck waiting for someone late to a meeting so why not)

I think the issue is that, objectively, the economic consequences of independence will be dire for many years. Fine to vote for it if that’s not an issue for you, as long as people are aware that austerity and chaos await whilst things are sorted out.

I just want peace!!!

@RaspberryCoulis sorry to be a bit confused - I'm trying to work out how your tactic works - why 'NOT Labour' for regional? (I'm assuming you are tactical voting against SNP, but have I got that wrong?) thanks!
I find the whole way the list vote works a bit confusing...

Because the way I understand it, if a party wins constituency seats then that means they do worse on the regional list as the system is designed to represent more parties.

This is the game Alex Salmond was trying to play - get everyone to vote SNP for constituency, and his shower for list votes to maximise pro-Independence people in parliament.

I'm voting Labour on the constituency vote only because the other parties stand no chance. I'm not a Labour voter. Anas Sarwar seems to have some oomph about him but it's too soon to tell. But my main aim in this poll is to give the SNP a kicking.

On the regional list I won't be voting Labour so have more of a free choice..

As someone who has recently moved from England it feels like the SNP is doing an ok job within its powers. The NHS seems to function as well if not better than in rural England, the education seems to be decent with obvious investment and there are way more council run sports facilities.

I also feel like Brexit has reopened the Scottish referendum question as there has been such a massive change in circumstances.

As voting SNP is effectively a vote for a referendum I can accept it. It's not voting "yes" definitively.

I'm thinking SNP (con) and Labour on the list as I think they are the most likely party I can accept to form something resembling an opposition to the SNP.

If you’ve moved to Scotland recently you’ll not have experienced the divisive last referendum. It was horrible. That’s why we don’t want another one. The risk of having losing your job / house / income hanging in the balance based on the ability of the SNP to pass the impending reality off as ‘project fear’. Welcome!

@randomsabreuse I suppose the question about the referendum is would it be appropriate in the next 5 years due to pandemic and the costs of another referendum at a time where NHS backlog list is massive, cancer diagnosis services are not only behind but treating much sicker patients and mental health services are required ten fold to each slot available.

For me the money spent in the next 5 years is better spent on NHS and education not running another referendum. As for SNP do a reasonable job they have also refused to set up long covid clinics in Scotland which have been set up in England.
People like me who are still off work due to covid have no option other than to go the GP then try and get a referral to 2,3 or 4 different departments and join a wait list of 8-24 months depending on the area due to the backlog. NHS England have set up 64 covid clinics one referral one place for the multiple issues related to covid recovery.

raspberry in West Scotland a LibDem List vote is likely to be wasted (going by 2016 and current polling) and probably helps the Greens retain Ross Greer.

If you are in NE, H&I or Mid & Fife then voting LibDem tactically or because you agree with them makes sense.

I experienced Brexit and feeling like a "citizen of nowhere". I feel like the previous Scottish referendum was won on the basis of there being no guarantee of getting "back" into Europe if Scotland became independent... so rather false pretences! If the SNP could pull some reasonable evidence of a deal with the EU into a campaign it would be interesting to see how a choice between the EU and the UK went! I'd hope that the unionist side might be a bit less crap than remain were for Brexit too - sell the benefits of the Union rather than focus entirely on the negatives - although project fear is coming true it was a very negative campaign in general.

England has lurched hard to the right destabilising the rest of the Union. Unless Labour can sort its internal divisions there is no opposition to the Tories at Westminster, who have been making anti-devolution legislation and general noises.

Plus the whole Good Friday Agreement situation, which was entirely foreseeable by anyone with some knowledge of history.

I was pro Remain on the grounds of it being the least bad option rather than any love for a big flawed leviathan!

Thanks @RaspberryCoulis - if Labour aren't your natural choice I think I understand...
What I'm really not sure about is in battleground seats for example a close SNP/Lab seat, if I want to ensure the least possible SNP MSPs am I better to vote Lab in the seat, and another party in the list, or am I better to do just Lab for both?

@Iwouldratherbesailing

If you’ve moved to Scotland recently you’ll not have experienced the divisive last referendum. It was horrible. That’s why we don’t want another one. The risk of having losing your job / house / income hanging in the balance based on the ability of the SNP to pass the impending reality off as ‘project fear’. Welcome!

A massive yes to this.

It was awful. We couldn’t sell our house, ds got pelters at school as he’s half English. He still remembers it though he was six!

People abused for their views, arguments everywhere. Horrendous.

I don't really know either, as you say all seem to be as bad as each other. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is basically if you don't want SNP in again you have to vote torry as they're the only party with a chance of knocking SNP off the top. If you want SNP obviously you vote for them

I have never voted Conservative I'm my life, but I will this time. I can't stand what the SNP are doing to women, so if that means I have to vote Tory to try to displace SNP from my area, I absolutely will.

I think the recent appointment for ceo at the Edinburgh rape centre has given me the final push to vote in a way I never ever thought I would in order to try and protect women’s rights and I have to say that it does make me deeply uncomfortable but not as uncomfortable as what could happen in 5 years if a stand is not taken.

I'm in Strathkelvin and Bearsden so the chances of unseating the SNP are more or less zero from previous figures. Unlikely to go Labour given Bearsden demographic (assumption here) and there's minimal evidence of Alba support to split the pro independence vote.

I'm unwilling to vote Conservative, Galloway's Party or the Family Party and pretty against Alba. Leaving Green (never been keen, Labour (feel like they deserve a chance) and Lib (think they're dead and not really helping themselves with their decisions - Leader being from a very tight marginal was a tactical disaster.

@Merrz

I don't really know either, as you say all seem to be as bad as each other. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is basically if you don't want SNP in again you have to vote torry as they're the only party with a chance of knocking SNP off the top. If you want SNP obviously you vote for them

It depends on your area, some are snp/labour and some snp or tory or other parties.

I think the impact on our everyday lives is felt more keenly from holyrood and a vote against the SNP who already have control of most of the day to day services is more important than basing your judgement on Boris and Westminster.

Ideal scenario for me would be a 3 way split or at least a bigger, more effective opposition so there would be less bullying poor legislation through.

On the Women's rights issue I struggle to see the Tories as being properly for anyone's rights, regardless of sex or gender, unless of course they are rich.

No skin off their nose to "support" women's specific rights while quietly removing rights in general!

Also all the brexit talk. We were a big net contributer to the EU. It cost a lot to be in it. It just depends on whether you think that contribution was worth it for other things.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is basically if you don't want SNP in again you have to vote torry as they're the only party with a chance of knocking SNP off the top. If you want SNP obviously you vote for them

Have a look at the tactical voting site. Or have a look at this page, they have broken in down by area for you (if you're wanting to vote against SNP). For my area, that means voting Conservative.

www.facebook.com/110568510703329/posts/291129915980520/?sfnsn=scwspmo

For those wanting to unseat the SNP, various websites have produced tables indicating how to do that, for each constituency. It varies depending on which other party is most likely to win the most votes. The list vote covers a group of constituencies so the suggested party may well be different.

@Iwouldratherbesailing

If you’ve moved to Scotland recently you’ll not have experienced the divisive last referendum. It was horrible. That’s why we don’t want another one. The risk of having losing your job / house / income hanging in the balance based on the ability of the SNP to pass the impending reality off as ‘project fear’. Welcome!

That's your experience, it was absolutely not mine.

Please don't pass off your personal experience as the objective truth.

@Huggybear16 - I am a bit suspicious of that Facebook page as looking at its recommendations for list vote it seems to recommend Tory for all areas? Seems it might be a bit biased? Or IS Tory for list the most sensible if you don't want SNP over represented?

@randomsabreuse

On the Women's rights issue I struggle to see the Tories as being properly for anyone's rights, regardless of sex or gender, unless of course they are rich.

No skin off their nose to "support" women's specific rights while quietly removing rights in general!

they are not even doing that randomsabreuse. They don't have one single policy supporting women in their manifesto. People seem to be reading an awful lot into them just saying nothing .

Your posts offer an interesting perspective. It's refreshing to hear about someone actually voting for something for a change.
I'll probably vote SNP but agree Labour are worth giving a chance. As a former Labour voter I think Sarwar has been a big improvement - though I'd have liked a little bit more detail on policies, and a bit more oomph in terms of being up for the challenge of leading the country. Certainly moving in the right direction though I think

@randomsabreuse

On the Women's rights issue I struggle to see the Tories as being properly for anyone's rights, regardless of sex or gender, unless of course they are rich.

No skin off their nose to "support" women's specific rights while quietly removing rights in general!

I don't think anyone has said that the Tories are the saviour of women's rights. Just that the immediate threats to women's rights such as self id and the HCB are going to be pushed through if the SNP get a majority and the only party likely to reduce that risk are the Tories as the rest are signed up to them.

@SoMuchForSummerLove many many people thought the last referendum was divisive and horrible. It's perfectly valid for us to share our experiences. I was off work for a month ill with the stress of it and I absolutely do not want to go through that again.