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)?

Uk government should let benefits be devolved to Scotland ASAP - I know SG don’t want them - but it might just shine a light on how well off we are as a Union. 55 percent of tax paying electorate are claiming benefits so when they are cut and SNP can’t blame Westminster then I think we’d see independence neverendems slink off into mist .

[quote Graffitiqueen]@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.[/quote]
And many many others didn't. That's all I am saying.

I actually found it quite moving, to see so many people get so politically engaged. At work we debated it all the time, and we weren't all in agreement, but it wasn't divisive or unpleasant in anyway.

they are not even doing that randomsabreuse. They don't have one single policy supporting women in their manifesto

It's not just about the manifesto. They were the only party defending womens rights and voting against the HCB

HobNob and others. All regions have a mix of Labour and Tory List seats. Therefore you can vote with your preference on the List. It isn't possible to pick the most likely to pip the Greens / Alba to the last seat with accuracy.

I'm finding Sarwar a breath of fresh air. Seems like a genuine and decent person and such a change from the aggressive, mocking, divisive tone that we are used to. To be fair Richard Lennon wasn't like that either but he was a bit of a damp squib, just didn't have the energy and charm of Sarwar.

OK - having a wobble here a day ahead of voting. I keep reading about constituency votes, candidate votes, party votes, regional votes, list votes, the peach vote and am getting totally confused.

I’ve name changed so I wonder if people could tell me about my constituency. I’m in East Dunbartonshire/Bearsden. I’ve never voted tactically before.

I realise that no one is going to shift the SNP from government but I want to do everything I can to minimise and reduce their influence in Parliament. I voted Yes for Independence but think that the situation, as it is now, is not conducive to the formation of a healthy, successful Independent Scotland. I don’t discount voting Yes again in the future - but not in the next few years.

It’s not going to be a comfortable situation tomorrow. I’m going to probably end up voting for a party or parties that I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole under normal circumstances but I think it just has to be that way.

Anyone have any advice and/or clarification on what the two different votes are officially called on the actual slip of paper?

This looks like a reputable tactical voting site for unionists:

tacticalvote.netlify.app/

Frankly I wish I could vote for all 3 of lib, lab and the conservatives as they've all been good (and a bit bad) in different respects.

I'm happy with my constituency vote for Labour as it's the clear choice for Edinburgh northern and leith.

Still not sure re Lib Dem or tories for list.

@VoteInstructions - it will depend on where you are in Bearsden as to which seat you are in. For Westminster we're all "East Dunbartonshire". For Holyrood it's different.

If you are in Kessington, Westerton, or south of Roman Road, then you are in Strathkelvin and Bearsden. mapit.mysociety.org/area/148763.html Tactical voting recommends Labour vote in the constituency ballot to oust the SNP, although when you look at last time it was very close between Con and Lab for second. democraticdashboard.com/scottish-constituency/strathkelvin-and-bearsden

If you are in Baljaffray, Mosshead or any other parts of Bearsden north of Roman Road then you're in Clydebank and Milngavie constituency. mapit.mysociety.org/area/135002.html Here, it's a straight battle between SNP and Lab.

On the list vote (the peach paper) you have more freedom. If you're anti-independence then don't vote SNP, Green, Alba or any of the randomers who won't get seats. Stick to your choice of Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem.

I've shared this in another thread but thought people here might find it useful. It's about 7 minutes long but does explain quite clearly how the voting system works:

I think constituency vote is on purple and list seats are on peach.

So you vote for a person on the purple and a party on the peach, you can micx and match to suit your voting tastes/strategy.

@RedactedTaeFeck

they are not even doing that randomsabreuse. They don't have one single policy supporting women in their manifesto

It's not just about the manifesto. They were the only party defending womens rights and voting against the HCB

'Speaking up' for women's rights is all very well and good but would have expected if they felt so strongly they'd have put something in their manifesto. Also think it speaks volumes that other parties have devoted a section to women in their manifestos and Tories haven't. Don't think they even use the word once.

No idea. I've got my parents telling me who I have to vote for!! I'm bloody 35+ and I'll vote for who I decide to thanks very much!!

Hubby is tempted to just not vote!

I haven't checked all of the areas @Hobnob39, and the group I've linked to are biased, but the ones around my area (the 10 or so I've checked) are accurate according to my preferences on the tactical voting site. I'd recommend checking for yourself before voting though as, quite rightly, we shouldn't vote according to something we read on one group's Facebook page.

Ok I confess I haven't read the whole thread, but for anyone interested in women's rights, this is an interesting analysis of the different parties' stance: forwomen.scot/election-2021-guide/

thanks ifyourefeelingsinister. Someone posted this on another thread so have already read it. FWS do a lot of good work and I like them but I do think it's worth checking out the political parties manifestos too if womens' rights are important to you as they've been a wee bit selective in what they've included/excluded in this analysis.

'Speaking up' for women's rights is all very well and good but would have expected if they felt so strongly they'd have put something in their manifesto. Also think it speaks volumes that other parties have devoted a section to women in their manifestos and Tories haven't. Don't think they even use the word once.

Maybe they don't feel the need to "other" women and the pledges in the manifesto apply to all people?

My DF is 88 and not voting for the first time ever as he’s so disgusted with the lot of them.

I've checked on quite a few different tactical voting sites and always get the same result. The problem is that I don't know how everyone else is voting in advance of my vote - if I had that info, life would be an awful lot simpler!

It’s also important to remember that when the SNP et al talk about women that also includes men who say they’re women.

'Speaking up' for women's rights is all very well and good It is though isn't it? So actual actions taken rather than things written in a manifesto which may or may not be honoured. Actions speaking louder than words as they say.

There are very few people on any side that I have seen that I would have confidence in and then maybe only in some areas, unfortunately most of those are not in my area and they stand for different parties (or aren't standing for holyrood) so that makes it difficult and I hate that I will be making a negative vote really but it is what it is.

redacted if you feel like that i don't know why you're bringing up womens' rights at all. I'll take it from that that you care about as much as the Tories claim to

that was response to Maybe they don't feel the need to "other" women and the pledges in the manifesto apply to all people?

The Tories have said they’d scrap the HCB though, haven’t they?

@happygolurkey

redacted if you feel like that i don't know why you're bringing up womens' rights at all. I'll take it from that that you care about as much as the Tories claim to

Eh?

As I said, actions speak louder than words. Since being in power I think there are dozens of manifesto pledges that the SNP have just quietly shelved, so the manifesto is as much use as yesterdays chip paper.

At the end of the day we are all people and I'm comfortable with not having specific women's points if they aren't needed. The point with some of the other parties is that their policies are deliberately undermining womens' rights as compared with normal so they therefore need to try to say that they aren't and pointing things out that they say they are going to do. I just don't see that that's necessary if you have nothing to defend

And I didn't "bring up womens' rights" it was a discussion happening and I joined in.

I've already stated that that is not my main priority when deciding who to vote for but it'd fairly high up and actually suits my voting intention anyway. So, even if SNP had a better deal on woman's rights, it wouldn't get my vote regardless for other reasons.

This sums up nicely most parties’ promises on women