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)?

No, but then some people are just dicks. It's not a party political thing, it's just that some people don't know how to conduct themselves.

I think, when you have an SNP supporter tell you "we would allow you to stay" (in Scotland, after independence is achieved, me a born and bred Scots, same as him), its not just a lack of acceptable social conduct, but something more chilling.

@TheSandman

I voted Tory for the first time. I'm not ashamed.

You will be.

I voted Tory. As did my DH. No shame here.

@PlasticSmileyCat

I think, when you have an SNP supporter tell you "we would allow you to stay" (in Scotland, after independence is achieved, me a born and bred Scots, same as him), its not just a lack of acceptable social conduct, but something more chilling.

You don't think that person was just an overbearing twat with an overinflated sense of their own power?

@SoMuchForSummerLove

No, but then some people are just dicks. It's not a party political thing, it's just that some people don't know how to conduct themselves.

Yep! For me the last referendum it was like the people who are naturally dicks then felt they were justified in being vile, saying hateful stuff and very very borderline. It was like it gave them permission to voice their vitriol! No way is everyone like that but the experiences I had were extremely nasty and like bad restaurants you remember the nastiness more than not getting any negativity.

For me this is why I don't want another referendum to face months of frankly disgusting abuse with very little I can do about receiving it.

I didn't come on this board at the time @RedactedTaeFeck and actually I went from no to yes in the months leading up to the referendum so I'd have been a fairly wishy washy contributor!

But let me say that, in my experience, those who don't support the SNP are fairly making up for how they felt during that time now.

You don't think that person was just an overbearing twat with an overinflated sense of their own power?

Possibly that too. But he was deadly serious. It was deeply unpleasant, and it wasn't all he said either. How many other people out there feel and think like that? That is not a Scotland I want to live in, how about you?

@RedactedTaeFeck

Yes raspberry.

"And some SNP supporters can't see why we're all so desperate to avoid another divisive referendum?"

Funnily enough, it's usually SNP supporters who don't remember it as divisive or just had "friendly banter". People on the No side usually had a different experience.

I very much agree with this.

I’m another one who voted Labour and Conservative yesterday.

Reasons being I think it is vitally important that we have politicians who understand basic biology/reality, and also the past 7 or 8 years, in particular, have really highlighted to me the need to have a wide range of voices and perspectives in Parliament and Government.

But let me say that, in my experience, those who don't support the SNP are fairly making up for how they felt during that time now.

Maybe on here but not so much in general social media.

I think that's why people on here were enjoying the ability to air their views.

@RaspberryCoulis

Right.... so if you voted Conservative as a protest vote against the SNP you should hang your head in utter shame? Because anyone in their right mind votes SNP, or Green at a push?

Can you not see how that sort of rhetoric is so insulting? Can't all the "you should be ashamed" or "I WILL NEVER EVER VOTE TORY" posters understand that other people have different political opinions and (shock, horror) not everyone has to thin the same way? I mean, I would never vote SNP, ever. But I am well aware that people have a choice and if people choose to vote SNP it's up to them. I'm not coming on here calling them thick, or deluded or posting in block capitals exactly what I think of Ms Sturgeon and the rest of them.

Jeezo. And some SNP supporters can't see why we're all so desperate to avoid another divisive referendum?

I really agree with this.

I am scared to say in real life that I don’t support the SNP as I will be vilified 🤷🏻‍♀️

@PlasticSmileyCat

You don't think that person was just an overbearing twat with an overinflated sense of their own power?

Possibly that too. But he was deadly serious. It was deeply unpleasant, and it wasn't all he said either. How many other people out there feel and think like that? That is not a Scotland I want to live in, how about you?

But there are dicks everywhere! In every town, city, and country. Where do you want to live that you'll never encounter another unpleasant person?

I don't want to live in a country that is governed by the Conservatives - they are, just like the SNP, getting carried away by their own power and by the lack of an effective opposition.

I want to live in a country where my vote directly impacts the running of the nation; I don't want this uncomfortable halfway house where we're merely tolerated by those in WM, and supposed to be grateful for what they let us have, lest they take it away.

@WouldBeGood

I am scared to say in real life that I don’t support the SNP as I will be vilified 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've been tweeting it voraciously since the HCB and not one person has come back at me. I would have thought it would be worst on Twitter but maybe not!

Holyrood was never designed to be a one party institution. Its better that people vote more widely to get better representation. It's not about putting the tories in power, I can't see that happening in Scotland ever, it's about making the parliament more representative by trying to reduce the power of the SNP. I'd have voted for any non indy party in my area but chose the one most likely to give SNP a run.

My views probably run on the more libertarian side as I get older. I'd say my position is probably just left of centre.

@SoMuchForSummerLove I mean with real
Life people like Facebook friends and DP’s family.

I have been openly against the HCB and the GRA but that’s ignored 😃

I just find it really difficult. I’m really an old fashioned socialist type, and hate what’s happening. I also want peace, love, no borders, and the easy import of nice wine and cheese 😂

With respect, I think you are missing the point. He was saying that he and his party would give me PERMISSION to continue to live in my own country. It wasn't just general dickheadedness (which I agree can be experienced everywhere, and I can deal with ), but an extremely worrying viewpoint tied to an ideology which is becoming increasingly vicious in nature. My authentic Scottishness, my right to live in my country of birth is not and should never be in any way tied to my choice of political /referendum vote. In history these sentiments always manifest as things people think, before they become things people do. If that doesn't worry you, then frankly it should. Political debate is fine, and healthy. This is not. And I do fear for Scotland as a consequence.

With respect, you are being very dramatic by implying that this person has the power to do any such thing. I've never met an indy supporter who thinks that way - the exact opposite in fact. It's very much a 'more the merrier' sentiment in my experience.

Unless you genuinely believe that an independent Scotland would somehow have the power - and the desire - to start deporting people they don't like. The country that just gave the vote to asylum seekers, you think that would be their approach? Never mind a pesky thing like international law.

Exactly @somuchforsummerlove. 'His party '. Whose party?! The party which pushes for immigration and rights for refugees. The party which encourages others to make Scotland their home NOT the party ( which I think you said you voted for @PlasticSmileyCat) which detests free movement of people so much that they removed the erasmus scheme.

When senior SNP supporters/advisers tell us we are not Scottish enough if we don't vote for independence it says it all.

@SoMuchForSummerLove it's great that you have never experienced it before but many of us have been on the receiving end.

Whilst I don't believe it possible that a govt would behave that way it doesn't change the way people have and do behave towards others.
I've lost count of the number of times I have been told I can't wait to get rid of your lot, or independence means you English will finally be told to f off back to where you belong etc etc etc. This is obviously a minority of people but they feel that an independence referendum gives them permission to behave this way.
I wouldn't minimise the effect of how that makes people feel in a place which is supposed to be their home where they live, work raise children and pay taxes.

They need the immigrants and refugees to work and pay tax . Those immigrants and refugees will head south after they are established.

Never mind Erasmus just imagine becoming independent and how that closes down great opportunities in rest of UK for the young .

As I’ve said before give SNP their full power over benefits and their main support would fade away - which is precisely why they don’t want them .

Personally I would find it very difficult to vote Tory,and most working class people who grew up in the west of Scotland in the 80s probably feel the same
But i totally agree that everyone should vote as they wish

@StarryEyeSurprise

Exactly *@somuchforsummerlove. 'His party '. Whose party?! The party which pushes for immigration and rights for refugees. The party which encourages others to make Scotland their home NOT the party ( which I think you said you voted for @PlasticSmileyCat*) which detests free movement of people so much that they removed the erasmus scheme.

You are missing the point. Whilst this prat may never be able to enforce such a law it's the mindset of people like him which is worrying. And the mindset of the poster on here who sees nothing wrong with "anti- Tory chat" outside a polling booth.

SNP supporters trumpet about how welcoming they are to immigrants whilst having no problem being aggressive , rude and dismissive about people already here who don't support separatism.

Thank you to those of you who understood what I was trying to say (though I was obviously saying it badly). Yes. It is worrying.

@annabelindajane

They need the immigrants and refugees to work and pay tax . Those immigrants and refugees will head south after they are established.

Never mind Erasmus just imagine becoming independent and how that closes down great opportunities in rest of UK for the young .

As I’ve said before give SNP their full power over benefits and their main support would fade away - which is precisely why they don’t want them .

They'll all move south will they? You are literally just making that up.