Originally Posted by cassie:
What is the irony?

Would that really be so unacceptable? Of course much would depend upon the overall majority of any party, but a Parliament which included some 50 or so SNP MPs could be VERY interesting across a number of fronts!


______________________________

Come on Cassie, you know how pro-Union they are. They'r so worried about their precious Union that they won't even support an English Parliament.
[Rep]

I think this seat will return to Labour at the next electon, this seems to be a typical example of giving the government a good kicking.

I noted that although the Torys moved into third place they made little impact with just over 6% of the vote. They may win the next election but they will probably have under 10 seats in Scotland. That for me raises a huge consitutional question as effectively the PM of the UK may really in effect just be the PM of England.
[Rep]

Originally Posted by Northumbrian:
Come on Cassie, you know how pro-Union they are. They're so worried about their precious Union that they won't even support an English Parliament.

Yes, you're quite right! I hadn't looked at it in that light. Thank you. :-)

Even so, I trust you agree that 50 or so SNP MPs would make for an interesting situation?


_________________________________
[Rep]

Originally Posted by cassie:
Yes, you're quite right! I hadn't looked at it in that light. Thank you. :-)

Even so, I trust you agree that 50 or so SNP MPs would make for an interesting situation?


_________________________________

Very!

That of course would mean a majority of Scottish MP seats would be held by nationalists. I would like to see the British government try and refuse them an independence referendum then!
[Rep]

Originally Posted by rjt:
I think this seat will return to Labour at the next electon, this seems to be a typical example of giving the government a good kicking.

I noted that although the Torys moved into third place they made little impact with just over 6% of the vote. They may win the next election but they will probably have under 10 seats in Scotland. That for me raises a huge consitutional question as effectively the PM of the UK may really in effect just be the PM of England.

rjt

I agree with your above post. And if you take your forecast analysis just a bit further, whoops! there goes the Union!

The basic questions facing are whether we should just await on events - and for the outcome to be determined by the Scots? Or whether we English have the resources, courage and other abilities, to make our own national decisions.

I believe the English are up to it. Do you?

Regards

Andrew
[Rep]

Originally Posted by rjt:
I think this seat will return to Labour at the next electon, this seems to be a typical example of giving the government a good kicking.

I noted that although the Tories moved into third place they made little impact with just over 6% of the vote. They may win the next election but they will probably have under 10 seats in Scotland. That for me raises a huge constitutional question as effectively the PM of the UK may really in effect just be the PM of England.

I hesitate to predict the outcome of an election ballot likely to be held in twenty one months time. Scottish nationalism seems to be on the ascendancy, and it would be too easy to attribute the loss of the seat to dissatisfaction with the Westminster Government. Moreover, much will depend upon how well Salmond's administration is seen to perform. I've no doubt that Brown via the Treasury and for example the MOD will take any measures likely to impair perception of Salmond's performance.

A total of ten Conservative seats in Scotland would be an improvement I just do not see occurring! In the main, battles will be between Labour and the Lib Dems V the SNP.

Scottish voters now know that voting for the SNP can result in them gaining power. If the SNP is seen as being besieged by the other 'big' parties, it may well attract even more support.

A sizeable number of SNP MPs will give problems to any Westminster Government, whether it be Conservative, Con-Lib Dem coalition or Lab-Lib Dem coalition! The electoral battle in Scotland in 2010 may well be more important than that in England.

As far as I'm concerned, short of the English nats and UKIP gaining seats, a Commons in which the Conservatives and Labour are even-stevens and the SNP largely holds Scotland, will probably assist the English Cause better than a Conservative [unionist] landslide!

----------------
[Rep]

Not to mention that they do not vote on England-only issues - which would be a de-facto solution to that problem until a more solid one comes around.
[Rep]

Originally Posted by Smidgey:
Not to mention that they do not vote on England-only issues - which would be a de-facto solution to that problem until a more solid one comes around.

Honourable though that practice may be, it may not actually help the England Cause! It could serve to fudge the issue.



______________________
[Rep]

Originally Posted by cassie:
I hesitate to predict the outcome of an election ballot likely to be held in twenty one months time. Scottish nationalism seems to be on the ascendancy, and it would be too easy to attribute the loss of the seat to dissatisfaction with the Westminster Government. Moreover, much will depend upon how well Salmond's administration is seen to perform. I've no doubt that Brown via the Treasury and for example the MOD will take any measures likely to impair perception of Salmond's performance.

A total of ten Conservative seats in Scotland would be an improvement I just do not see occurring! In the main, battles will be between Labour and the Lib Dems V the SNP.

Scottish voters now know that voting for the SNP can result in them gaining power. If the SNP is seen as being besieged by the other 'big' parties, it may well attract even more support.

A sizeable number of SNP MPs will give problems to any Westminster Government, whether it be Conservative, Con-Lib Dem coalition or Lab-Lib Dem coalition! The electoral battle in Scotland in 2010 may well be more important than that in England.

As far as I'm concerned, short of the English nats and UKIP gaining seats, a Commons in which the Conservatives and Labour are even-stevens and the SNP largely holds Scotland, will probably assist the English Cause better than a Conservative [unionist] landslide!

----------------

Well of course Labour could recover, and I would think ten seats would be the least Cameron needs but like you I dont see that happening. I cant agree that the SNP holding the balance of power would be any better than a Tory Landslide, both partys are Europhile and need weakening.
[Rep]

Originally Posted by Andrew Constantine:
rjt

I agree with your above post. And if you take your forecast analysis just a bit further, whoops! there goes the Union!

The basic questions facing are whether we should just await on events - and for the outcome to be determined by the Scots? Or whether we English have the resources, courage and other abilities, to make our own national decisions.

I believe the English are up to it. Do you?

Regards

Andrew

The electoral situation I have descrided certainly has the poiential to weaken the Union, that is why I am pleased that cameron has pledged to do everything he can to sustain it. i do not support the break up of the unionand there is nothing more than minority electoral support for it.
[Rep]