GB-wide voting intentions (YouGov, 16th-17th February 2025):
Reform UK 27% (+1)
Labour 25% (-)
Conservatives 21% (-)
Liberal Democrats 14% (-)
Greens 9% (-)
SNP 3% (-)
Plaid Cymru 1% (-)
Scottish subsample: SNP 34%, Reform UK 22%, Labour 22%, Conservatives 8%, Liberal Democrats 7%, Greens 6%
Corroboration of the general trend is offered by a poll from More In Common, which also shows Reform rising one point to hit a new high watermark of 26% with that polling firm, and to move into a one-point lead over Labour.
Meanwhile, the tables from Saturday night's Scottish poll from Norstat have been published, which allows us to tie up some loose ends. Although we already knew that the independence question was tied 50-50 after Don't Knows were excluded, it turns out that if Don't Knows are left in, Yes has a slender lead of 48% to 47%. If nothing else that's psychologically important, because it means that across all polling firms, all of the last four published independence polls have shown a Yes lead of some description. The numbers with Don't Knows removed but rounded to one decimal place are: Yes 50.4%, No 49.6%.
The Westminster voting intention percentages are:
SNP 32% (+1)
Labour 18% (-2)
Reform UK 17% (+2)
Conservatives 13% (-1)
Liberal Democrats 11% (+2)
Greens 6% (-)
Labour have never been in so much danger of being overtaken by Reform in Scotland. OK, they've been in third place behind the Tories many times over the last few years, but is this a wholly new category of threat due to Reform eating into their core working-class support? Norstat already have Reform miles ahead of Labour among lower-income voters (by 26% to 14%). That said, at the height of the Ruth Davidson surge in 2017, the Tories must have been taking a fair amount of working-class support that would once have been solidly Labour - not least in the constituency of Lanark and Hamilton East, which amazingly the Tories came within 266 votes of winning in 2017.
* * *
I launched the Scot Goes Pop fundraiser for 2025 last month, and so far the running total stands at £1491, meaning that 22% of the target of £6800 has been raised. If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop continue with poll analysis and truly independent political commentary for another year, donations are welcome HERE. Direct Paypal donations can also be made - my Paypal email address is: jkellysta@yahoo.co.uk
The alba party must have held Nicola Sturgeon in the highest regard in 2021 because it asked the people of Scotland to re-elect her as First Minister of Scotland with it's SNP1 voting strategy.
ReplyDeleteUnsurprising though because, by February 2021, Nicola Sturgeon was leading the party that had taken support for Scottish independence to its highest EVER level with no less than 20 consecutive opinion polls between May 2020 and February 2021, puting Yes ahead of No.
Are you suggesting that alba, which by complete coincidence was actually formed in February 2021, is a party of lying, self-serving hypocrites who deliberately lied-to and tried to con the people of Scotland?
Anyway, alba's cunning plan was a complete failure and it did not come close to winning a single list seat in the Scottish election of that year never mind some sort of "supermajority".
Scotland will never be in a position to gain independence until we have developed and maintained hard and sustained majority support for it amongst the people of Scotland. When that has been achieved it will be best reflected by a single pro-independence party, exactly like the one the which evolved, sometimes frustratingly slowly, even incrementally, over the last half century and more but this simply reinforces why we ALL need to vote SNP 1&2 in 2026.
Fascinating, so how is that relevant to the above blog post?
DeleteHow many times does James have to say there is no such thing as SNP 1&2 in Holyrood election.
DeleteAnonymous/James 9.18am: because all roads in this blog these days lead down alba's surreal rabbit-hole and current "analyses" of opinion poll statistics are being used by some to draw us back into strategy mistakes of the past.
DeleteThe 2011-2014 period prior to the referendum was the most intense in our history but it contained serious, fundamental mistakes from which we have failed to learn and which is now drawing some, predominantly with an "alba mindset", into celebrating our failures and seeking to dive into new ones.
We should not be seeking another unwinnable independence referendum, de-facto or otherwise, (UDI, Conventions, Claims of Rights ffs!) until we have established the support we know we need to win it (though even that might still not be enough!).
Alba was established, very specifically, to create division within the independence movement, mainly driven by ambitious senior members and activists who felt that their incredible political talents were not being fully appreciated and were misusing voting opinion polls results to justify a hair-brained strategy which is still undermining our movement today.
The polls in this post do NOT indicate we are close to the hard and sustainable majority support for independence and I was simply trying to make that point.
Or, to simplify the process, a Party like the SNP could be elected on a mandate to achieve something. If they are unable to do so through the expected means, they could then seek alternative methods to accomplish the same outcome.
DeleteIt is ludicrous to create a vague and, from what I can gather from your comment, undefined measure to determine when the electorate is "ready" for something when we already have a democratic process in place to decide that. If a party secures a majority on a manifesto commitment to pursue a specific policy—such as Scottish independence—it follows that the electorate has expressed support for that goal.
The notion that an additional, arbitrary measure is needed to confirm public readiness undermines the legitimacy of democratic mandates.
Also the assumption that current polling is fixed ignores what happened in 2014 when a real campaign was underway.
DeleteBack then, Yes started at around 32-38%, far from a winning position. But as the campaign progressed, support grew significantly, peaking at 51% Yes, 49% No in a YouGov poll by September 2014. That shift happened because people were engaged in the debate, properly considering the arguments, and questioning the status quo.
Now, we’re starting from a much stronger position. A lot of polls currently (including the one above) put Yes and No at a dead heat. That’s a huge difference from last time. If a referendum campaign could move support nearly 20 points in 2014, imagine what could happen when we’re already at level pegging before the real debate even begins...
The idea that we need Yes comfortably ahead before even pushing for another referendum ignores how these things actually work. The campaign itself is what moves people. Once the question is real, undecideds engage, the stakes become clear, and support shifts—just like it did before.
We don’t need to wait for some mythical baseline. We just need a political event to rally behind and for the campaign to start. That’s what will shift the dial, just like it did last time.
Keep voting SNP until support for Independence is 99.99%. Instruct your kids, grandkids, great great great ... great grandkids to vote SNP.
DeleteWe're building ourselves a Dynasty! Hello Joan Collins, bye bye Indy!
Joan Collins? Are you in your 90’s?. Didn’t she support the tories?
DeleteStewart Dredge -10.26am - Cameron carried out his Brexit referendum on a 37% vote mandate. Brexit was then done on a 52% vote. Your approach is an approach for never doing anything. The same approach as unionists.
DeleteBoth votes SNP is always better in terms of giving mandate to SNP.
ReplyDeleteYou reach a conclusion which I am not sure is supported by what you said. To maximise the total number of seats, Green needs to be the list vote in certain cases where Greens are more likely to secure list seats. If the 2026 election is run as a de facto referendum seats won is not the issue. The issue is total votes received. Which are you talking about, election or de facto referendum? I think you need to clarify.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a De Facto referendum, I'll vote SNP.
DeleteIf it's not, I'll not.
So the difference is quite clear enough for me. ;-)
So who would you vote for which will allow unionists to win?
DeleteBoth votes SNP gives SNP the clearest mandate and that is good in all elections.
DeleteUnionists will.win seats if folk vote for unionists. That's democracy.
DeleteVoting for SNP or Green appears the most likely to gather list seats.
SNP win all marginals so lists become more important.
*won't win all marginals
Delete6:19 again.
DeleteIf it's not a De Facto, indy's not on the ballot and so I won't get the chance to vote for or against it.
If a party puts a good prospective forward for what to do in Holyrood while we waste more years in devolution, then I'll vote for them. What I won't be doing, however, is voting *against* anyone. There's simply not the pressure.
The only way to secure peoples vote is to offer some sort of positive change.
DeleteI doubt many people feel like things are great atm so the argument of 'Lets vote to keep things the same!' isn't exactly appealing.
Both votes SNP, nothing else is paid any attention to
DeleteLooking at the past few elections nobody pays attention to Both Vote SNP either. That strategy is literally just maintaining the status quo.
DeleteAnon at 12.28. I agree. Also it’s not the case that both votes SNP is always best. Depends on peoples priorities. My priority is maximising the number of Indy party seats, and in a number of constituencies, including mine, I know that works.
DeleteBoth votes SNP in 2021 delivered nothing re independence despite all the promises and the fake date of 19/10/23. Then the false promise of a de facto referendum in 2024.
DeleteYet all we get this time is the same both votes SNP for what exactly - not the Labour Party. The fake indyref2 promise is not even on the table this time. It’s truly pathetic and the current leadership if they are genuinely for independence must be the most useless ever in the world.
We need to convince our fellow Scots to get on the indy bandwagon so the 55% or so voting for unionists parties are not an enemy but those we need to convince.
ReplyDeleteHow do we convince them?
By talking about independence itself instead of just the mechanism to get it, against their will.
DeleteBy making it a priority rather than a vague pipedream..
DeleteBy spelling out the significant benefits of Indy. By spelling out the value of the resources and assets we have. These are currently being used to prop up England. That is how we do it. But SNP currently seem incapable or unwilling to do it. We should already all be doing it as individuals. Some in here are effectively doing the opposite.
DeleteYou get people's attention on independence by having a referendum. Then you tell them all the economic benefits of independence and how Westminster rips us off. People are sick of Labour and the Tories.
DeleteThe missing 10% (50 Yes minus 40 for nationalist parties) is our good old friends still supporting Labour. Bless them!
ReplyDeleteI imagine Labour supporters - with their dreams of building a fair society and abolishing the House of Lords, for example - to be a bit like Liza Minelli in Cabaret, belting out 'Maybe This Time'. 😉
DeleteVoting for the snp and independence will get rid of the House of Lords and Westminster in one fair sweep.
DeleteCool, when's the vote for independence?
DeleteWhy don't you do some thing about it, really fed up with people demanding the SNP do something about England's lack of democracy
DeleteUm, the SNP were literally elected to do something about it—that’s their entire purpose. If the plan is now "Well, it’s actually up to you to sort it out," then what the hell have we been voting them in for all these years?
DeleteBlaming England’s lack of democracy for the SNP’s own failures is a pathetic deflection.
“ England’s lack of democracy” - you have that back to front. England has plenty democracy. It’s Scotland that is lacking in democracy. Scotland is England’s colony just as Wales and N. Ireland are and the Republic of Ireland was.
Delete11.50pm so you are suggesting that when we have been urged to vote SNP for independence we are now voting SNP for DEPENDENCE. Why vote SNP then. Unless you like men in drag going in to women’s changing rooms.
Delete"Um, the SNP were literally elected to do something about it—that’s their entire purpose. If the plan is now "Well, it’s actually up to you to sort it out," then what the hell have we been voting them in for all these years?"
DeleteDon't mind Dr Jim. His whole thing is complaining that the Scottish people have let the SNP down.
Yes movement needs to adjust to new times and circumstances, with all of the following in the ascendant: Reform UK, PR China, and Presidents Putin and Trump.
ReplyDeleteHow would an independent Scotland fit into this jigsaw?
Right there, that bit over there. Next to the cup.
DeleteThe same way Ireland and Austria do amongst umpteen others.
DeleteAm I missing some specifically Scottish solution to Putin and Trump?
The Yes movement must explain how an independent Scotland will respond to A$AP Rocky's not guilty verdict.
DeleteIf the group who went to Ruthie to 2016-17 had been fitted with a tracker I wonder if a large % would show the pattern Lab => Con=> Lab=> Reform ?
ReplyDeleteMore generally, what about the no-to-everything-voters? What would be the most likely Holyrood outcomes on turnouts of
1. 60%
2. 55%
3. 50%
It's beginning to look like Mad Dog McEleny may struggle to reach the nominations threshold to stand for Alba deputy leader.
ReplyDeleteThey say he's a serial loser, but that's unjust: remember he got the not proven verdict at his trial for threatening behaviour. The undoubted highlight of his political career.
What Crazy Horse 🐎 😳 😅 🤣 😂 😕 🐎 Sarwar up to these days? He seems to be in hiding again.
DeleteUpdate!
DeleteChristopher McEleny
24/100 nominations received
Across 11/20 Local Authority areas
In Scotland there must be a plateau for Reform because fascism is a minority, actually the SNP could even get tactical voting if Labour continues to lose votes as an anti-fascist coalition
ReplyDelete100%, snp are in a very healthy position. Unfortunately some people don't see it that way and are tards.
DeleteUnionists will vote for any party they think can keep English control of Scotland, they don't care what that party is called
DeleteSo when is the referendum then oh great forecaster Declan?
DeleteThe message Scotland needs to send at HR 2026 has to be firmly directed at Starmer/UKplc. The simplest way to indicate that Scotland should have independence is to vote vote vote SNP - instead of as Stewart above says, fall into the same chaotic argy bargy about strategies. Westminster don't give a toss if a dozen or so indy supporting MSPs end up at Holyrood - Starmer's 4 tests included 'Rob the SNP of a majority in Scotland'. Whatever people wax lyrical negatively about the SNP - the simplest way to send a clear message to UKplc is just to vote SNP en masse for constituencies and when you know who is standing for the list, judge it when that's clear. Those Yes people pontificating to instruct people not to vote SNP unless the SNP sign up to this or that - are just putting us all back into this ridiculous holding position and not moving forwards - waiting for some Messianic Yes leader., Struth!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely correct, the "I won't vote SNP if this or that isn't on the table" mob are just muddying the waters
DeleteIt's simple, unionists will vote absolutely any party that is not SNP so that England wins, so we counteract that by casting every single vote for the SNP so Scotland wins
It really is just them against us, so don't play their game with their rules, we adopt one rule, every vote SNP
It's the only thing that upsets them
Q: We've done that in multiple elections over a decade—how will anything be different if we do it again?
DeleteNo one casts their vote for endless limbo. People didn’t back the SNP repeatedly just to watch them collect mandates and do nothing with them. Every election, we’ve been told that this is the one that will make a difference, that this will be the mandate Westminster can’t ignore. Yet here we are, a decade later, with nothing to show for it.
If voting SNP changes nothing, why would Westminster care? If voting SNP really upset them, they’d wouldn't have been able to ignore it for this long...
It matters NOW because Starmer desperately needs Scotland and he desperately needs the optic that he's won over Scotland - and to all UKplc that means won over the SNP. Peeing about over mandates for independence and wasting time on minutiae at this time is giving UKplc what it wants and needs. This is a new time, Starmer has BIG plans and he's ruthless and brutal, even to his own party colleagues. We re-elect SNP for HR2026 and THEN get the citizens conventions and everything else going. Fiddling about - let's try this, let's try that - to get a referendum is a waste of time. Labour's newest 'Contact Creator' app and efficient targeting, despite low turnout, got them their majority Westminster win. Have you seen what their results were about voter mindsets in Scotland? Independence referendum now a really big turn-off and Reform UK taking big big advantage of that - and amongst the most whingey allegedly Yes voters. Peeing about arguing about everything everybody wants the SNP to do on independence should be put aside until AFTER Hoiyrood 2026 - it's only with a big win that SNP can get together with the Yes movement and everybody move forwards. It's Scotland versus Starmer and if you don't want to bleed his nose - then carrying on argy bargy grudge time wasting round in circles bleating is the way to do it. It's why Scotland never gets anywhere - too many little generals doing the 'what's in it for me', personality clashes and ignoring the real big picture. Scotland needs to show it's for Scotland and not for Westminster - full stop. Don't do it this time around when it's absolutely needed - and it's typical Scotland not seeing the wood for the trees - again. Oh ah didnae vote for the SNP, it meant we lost Holyrood forever - but well ah proved I'm a die-hard purist independence supporter. Give me strength!
DeleteSo now it’s Starmer we have to vote SNP to stop? Last time, it was the Tories. Before that, it was Labour again. The only thing that ever changes is the name—the rhetoric stays the same: this is the most important election ever. Just vote SNP, don’t ask questions, and trust that everything will work itself out later.
DeleteAnd later never comes. We’ve heard it all before—this election is different, this time it really matters, just one more mandate. A decade of SNP victories has led to zero movement on independence, yet here you are, still insisting we should blindly vote SNP and wait again.
If voting SNP actually scared Westminster, they wouldn’t have ignored it for ten years. The reason they don’t care is because it changes nothing. Another SNP win just means another round of waiting, another excuse, and another plea for patience while independence drifts further away.
Scotland isn’t stuck because Yes voters demand action. It’s stuck because too many keep falling for this same tired routine, convincing themselves that this time will be different—when nothing ever is.
In 2019 Sturgeon said the UK GE was the big vote to get another mandate for indyref2. She then went a begging to Boris Johnston for her gold standard and was told to take a hike.
DeleteSturgeon then repeated the trick and said the 2021 Holyrood election was the big vote. Again nothing but fake promises on independence. Who was there during this time, Swinney, as Deputy FM.
Here we are all these years later and people are saying the same again. The SNP leadership are useless or Britnats. Take your pick but the result is the same. Nothing happens on independence. This leadership should have been shown the door years ago but the dumb loyalty of the members keeps them in place. I refuse to vote for more of the same like some dumbass.
The last 10 years have been nothing but lies and false promises from the SNP leadership.
1.14pm try a paragraph now and again.
DeleteThe SNP previously promised conventions. They make a lot of promises which they then ignore. They promised a de facto referendum in last years UK GE. They promised putting independence on the ballot paper as well.
SNP promises are worth shit.
12.15
DeleteYou voted for them and nearly half of our people did.
But not enough did to make London cave.
The answer isn't not voting because not enough didn't last time
" London cave" - whatever that means. So how many need to vote SNP to make London cave?
DeleteI really don't get the bonkers thinking these people have.
DeleteThey're essentially saying when Westminster are less likely to win any referendum the more likely they'll be to allow one to happen...
10.21pm. Exactly. What they propose makes no sense at all. So they are either extremely stupid or charlatans.
Delete10.21
DeleteSo they're likely to accept a referendum when our own people are divided on it themselves? Puulllease
An unimpeachable mandate to break up Britain isn't going to come from 50 plus 1
You can whinge all you want but it isn't going to happen off the back of that.
That's what we had before and it was denied.
How much is needed is unclear but not voting for whichever party is the main independence party won't taken it forward.
7.58am - “ that’s what we had before and it was denied “ no it wasn’t. Stop making up stuff to bolster your silly argument. There has been no “50 plus 1 unimpeachable mandate to break up Britain.”
DeleteYour argument reeks of grovelling to the UK.
I think in 2026- I hope the snp branches put this forward at their conference this year that the ballot paper says SNP - Independence.
ReplyDeleteVoting SNP while being deeply critical of the piously bland leadership is not a contradiction. Being a member on the same basis is not necessarily a contradiction if effort goes into internal opposition.
ReplyDeleteIt may be that world level changes are making critical voting/membership of the SNP the most rational choice - while also building a non party independence movement on a platform of social inclusion and, what's presently called, "wellbeing" economics.
Alba might have done something positive but there is no time for it's self indulgent flailing about in our present circumstances. It's become the iconic "dead parrot".
But you only need to look at the likes of Joanna Cheery, Fergus Ewing etc and the comments they receive whenever they say something critical about what the SNP leadership are doing. They're constantly told that they're 'doing the unionists work for them' or should 'bugger off to Alba' and those are the polite ones.
DeleteInternal opposition and healthy debate isn't exactly being encouraged.
The party needs to be a broad church . The gender brigade needs to be neutralised. That is not a contradiction. People who think it’s ok to threaten to decapitate anyone who disagrees with them are not welcome. I think J S has quietened them down but the recent Fyfe NHS case is being laid at the door of the SNP when it is the fault of legal and Personnel staff in Fyfe NHS. But no one from SNP is making this clear. I want a range of views in SNP.
DeleteMs Cherry - you're convinced that her versions and interpretations of events are always 100% reliable?
DeletePossibly not, but I don't think she should have lost her front bench job in the SNP group when she was an MP, rules changed to block her from standing for Holyrood in 2021 or have attempts made to hound her out of the Party.
DeleteAnon 103pm - where is “fyfe” exactly? where are you exactly? Who is the gender brigade? Seems the Britnats are once again going to the lowest common denominator as we can see in the laughable Scottish daily heil along with the disruption and disrespect shown by Ross in Parliament last evening. Quite deliberate and planned disruption. The tepid presiding office should exclude a few disrupters to make them behave.
DeleteWill Fyfe ?
DeleteJoanna supported Ash's leadership bid. How did that work out?
DeleteLOL! The whole point of that stage-managed kick the SNP and demand for it to be live on tv for global consumption was merely to trash the SNP for the world to see. Very well choreographed by the lady candidate mentors - but made Scottish politics look ridiculous to the world. Which I suppose was the intent and surely Ash was merely the stalking horse with Ms Cherry's arm up her back so that it could be seen that the grinning Ms Cherry was one of the engineers of this pathetic stunted adolescent grudge-based debacle. Ash hopefully is now her own person - one hopes.
DeleteAnon at 1.40 Gettng excited about typos? Gooooodnesss. See what I did there? . Other than that, I suspect you hear loud whooshing noises a lot, judging by what you think I said. Deary me. Go back and read it again or ask an adult for help. You are a front runner for Idiot of the Month for February. Well done.
DeleteThe idiot is the person who continually posts “ See what I did there?” and that is you at 5.31pm. Get yourself a new script.
DeleteGosh you guys are the best. Anon at 6.45. What a response! You might be a close second to your wee pal. Quite an achievement considering the standard is so high. Anything to say about the need for a broad church? No? Surprise surprise. Now off back to wings you fly. Byeeee.
Delete9.57pm now fly off back to your looney bin. No need to visit the normal people again.
DeleteAnon at 12.44. How was the pub? Nobody talking to you ? Aww, wee shame. Try to come back with something of your own rather than just saying what I have said. I appreciate that you are clearly a fan and want to use my patter, but go on push yourself. Say something of your own.
Delete9.39pm “patter” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. What a clown.
DeleteSurely the time has come to give up on the utter nonsense of independence.
ReplyDeleteIn the words of the late great Roy Orbison “It’s Over”.
Anon 1.09 . Dont be silly .
DeletePutin and Trump would agree with you. Thankfully the rest of us have higher standards.
DeleteOver it
DeleteZzzzzzzzz
Delete5.26pm Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Delete1.09pm - surely it is time you just posted as KC as you do not even try to hide the fact that you are very trying Britnat who posts the same stuff.
DeleteNEW POLL
ReplyDeleteSURVATION : 61% For reintroduction of Lynx,
20% neither for or against, 13% against. 6% DN.
Scotland needs native predators restored.
Scotland needs independence!
Alba gu brath!
Lynx haven't been native to Scotland for 1300 years. They are natural born killers the size of Labradors and are as relevant to Scotland as brown bears. If reintroduced you can say bye-bye to a lot of lambs, squirrels, pets, and possibly the entire capercaillie population. Wolves would be a lot more apt: Good luck with that, but at least wolf reintroduction would do wonders for rifle sales.
DeleteIndependence - mm - now tied to the anti-Nicola Sturgeon narrators. Curious that when support for the first time ever went to 58% under Nicola Sturgeon - the alleged Yes movement and Alba set about getting rid of her. Suppose that was all for 'the cause'!!!!!
ReplyDeleteUnionist dirty tricks and Westminster appointees set about N S. They did the same to A S. Alba have been a pain in the arse but they have never been a threat to SNP or Indy.
DeleteIf members of the "alleged Yes movement" had been chipped and branded then I'm sure it would have put a stop to that nonsense.
DeleteSturgeon resigned because she was tired she said. Lots of people were tired with her.
DeleteCurious that when support was 58% Sturgeon did nothing about independence. Stop trying to rewrite history. You can get that when Sturgeon’s book comes out.
22 Jan 2023 — First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says there's "plenty left in the tank" and that she is "nowhere near" stepping back from frontline politics
Delete28 Mar 2023 — Ms Sturgeon leaves her Bute House residence for the final time after 3051 days as Scotland's first minister.
I guess a lot can happen in 2 months!
Unlike other leaders Nicola left at a time of her own choosing. In her head and heart she knew it was time to go in order to have more privacy in her life.
DeleteShe achieved a lot and was widely praised.
She deserves praise - she could have done many things but chose to sacrifice many of the best years of her life to be SNP leader and First Minister in the service of Scottish people.
A great First Minister.
Anon at 4.54. I agree with you up to a point, but she allowed the S G to be infiltrated by people with divisive and toxic agendas and the rest, as they say, is history. Huge damage has been done and she must shoulder a lot of the blame. I am hugely disappointed by her overall.
Delete4.54pm - it is notable that you do not list anything that she achieved. Come on now - baby boxes surely must merit a mention.
DeleteShe left because she made a fool of herself trying to explain why a double rapist with a penis was actually a woman, and because she and Peter had helped themselves to the indyref2 fund. Get your head out of the sand you clown.
DeleteNicola Sturgeon led Scotland with vision, championed independence, tackled COVID-19 effectively, prioritized climate action, expanded social policies, and empowered women.
DeleteIs that you Val at 7.03pm? What a load of generalised waffle. Not one specific achievement.
DeleteHey IFS, care to tell us about your own achievements?
DeletePompeii - I don't ask you to vote for me, make a vast array of promises that are never met and paid a large salary with expenses. Pity I have to point out this obvious fact along with the fact that I am not under investigation for embezzlement.
DeletePompeii - just so it’s clear to you nobody is interested in your achievements.
DeleteBoth votes SNP makes sense because if SNP wins both a majority of constituencies **and** strong regional support, it secures a more credible electoral mandate to implement progressive policies. Splitting votes dilutes this mandate and can lead to weaker governing legitimacy. Voting SNP on both ballots maximizes the number of SNP MSPs and ends an unambiguous message of support for SNP policies.
ReplyDelete“ implement progressive policies “ like men in drag going in to women’s changing rooms.
DeleteYou forgot to mention independence
DeleteAch, there's always the ISP.
DeleteThe Indy movement is more than SNP. They will not, on their own win a majority of seats. By your logic they will lack legitimacy, being a minority govt.
DeleteLOL! It all seems to be playing well for Farage.
ReplyDeleteIn Witherspoon's in Clacton, that is. If he supports Trump's betrayal of Ukraine, he's screwed.
DeleteYou said you'd all be very disappointed 😞 if people you cherish and respect like Moira Anderson, Jackie Bird and Kenneth McKellar started criticising President Trump. We should mind or peas and queues and remember who gives us the butter to put on our bread of course, but we've never heard of them and we've lived here for seven months.
DeleteWelcome, new neighbours!
DeleteAnd remember that its possible to be active in a British party as well as Alba. We hope to have information on a Reform-inclusive deal in the next few weeks.
It's playing VERY well for Farage in pockets of the West of Scotland and West Central Belt, the Borders, bits up north. He's tapped into those he identified as the most malleable target voters.
DeleteSorry ALBA was a threat but is no longer due to the careerists and failed politicians who didn’t know when to retire.
ReplyDeleteHow many Alba candidates won a seat at any level of election? Hint. It’s between 1 and - 1. Never a threat.
DeleteAlba was a threat 🤣
DeleteAlba were a threat, and that's all they did, threaten and nothing else, except to threaten Nicola Sturgeon every day, but now they're gone because nobody liked them, nobody would vote for them, nobody believed a word they said, so now they're gone and good riddance to a fake party invented to do nothing more than threaten
Delete8.18pm Where exactly in your fantasy world Dr Jim have Alba gone to?
DeleteThe knackers' yard.
DeleteIf it is suggested SNP voters should lend their vote to the Greens on the regional ballot then surely the Greens should not stand on the constituency paper.
ReplyDeleteOr they can do us all a favour and not stand on either.
DeleteWhy? If people want to vote for them it’s sinister to think they should be denied that opportunity. It’s democracy. I am beginning to understand why some people really cannot grasp the SNP 1 Green 2 discussion.
DeleteAny party can do what it wants but that doesn't mean we should vote for them
DeleteThe Greens are not a political party, they are a protest group with a logo who pretend they have done Green things, they haven't because they've never been nor are likely to be in government, so it's the government who implement green policies not the protest group with the logo
Vote for the party that's the most likely to form the government of Scotland, SNP every vote, or vote for meaningless nobodies and end up with less power to fight England with
Westminster wouldn't know what a Scottish Green was if they tripped over one on a bike
But the Scottish Greens have the best pro trans manifesto in UK politics. That's why they get my vote.
DeleteThe Greens can't implement one single thing in any manifesto they dream up, they need a sympathetic government to do it for them
DeleteLet me tell you a well known political secret, the Greens are not pro trans, the Greens are pro vote, and there just happens to be trans people who'll vote if you claim your party are such a thing
But who implemented and who campaigned for pro trans rights in Scotland,? who stuck her neck out when no other politician in Britain would on this issue
Nicola Sturgeon
And she was and still is trans rights biggest supporter, and she backed it by attempting to do something about it
The Greens? what did they actually achieve? Nothing but gum flapping, it was the real political party the SNP that actually does stuff, and take the flack for doing it
When the Greens do it, it's just chasing votes. When Nicola Sturgeon does it, it's sticking your neck out and taking a brave principled stand. Welcome to Dr Jim World.
DeleteDr Jim the Isla Bryson fan.
DeleteAnon at 2.46 am. What is a well known secret? Stay off line when you are pissed at 2 in the morning. Daftie.
DeleteAnon at 8.25. Why not just hand over all the list seats to unionist parties? Good plan. I get the impression you do not understand the voting system at Holyrood.
DeleteWould Green supporters agree not to stand at constituency level?
ReplyDeleteSupporters don't stand candidates do.
DeleteSmart arse
ReplyDeleteSNP 1 and 2 is the best policy as it gives the SNP the strongest mandate in terms of votes cast.
ReplyDeleteThe only votes that Westminster recognises as Scottish are SNP
DeleteOnly fools believe Westminster would ever fear Greens
Anon at 8.29pm. Only fools care what Westminster recognises. Are you back on the sec 30 trail that leads nowhere?
DeleteAnon at 7.58pm. Not the SNP 1 and 2 again. There is no such vote for Holyrood.
Anon at 8.29. WTAF are you talking about?
DeleteI didn't see this one coming, but there is about £7 bn capital spending available 25-26. And it looks like the SNP might be pulling a master stroke by nationalising Ardrossan Harbour from Peel Ports - and the money has been made available for the purchase and redevelopment.
ReplyDeleteMost people would criticise Peel Ports Heavily - as usual I differ a bit. There are reasons for the problems - and problems for the reasons!
https://archive.is/hw0PF
I will fund a new harbour. But lynx must be released on Arran. What do you say?
DeleteI don't use it myself; I am naturally irresistible.
DeleteThe SNP is the best choice for a fairer outcomes. They support LGBTQ+ rights, green energy, and a net-zero future. Their policies protect the environment and ensure equality for all. Unlike others, they focus on progress, not cuts. To build kinder, greener outcomes, voting SNP in both votes is the way forward.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but it really can't be done without the full power of Independence, and at some time before HE26, the SNP IS going to have to go flat out for that in its campaign and leaflets, to wake up the missing 500,000 voters. It can be done.
DeleteAnyways, back to tea and toast, soup a step too far for this probable diarrhoea nonovirus we have; me on my 6th day. Better be better for the [redacted] rugby at the weekend, you hear? Or there will be TROUBLE ...
No, no, seriously, bad move to touch my keyboard, and get back to using those antibacterial gels after using ATMs :-(
Please keep us updated on the progress of your bowel complaints.
DeleteI told you NOT to touch my keyboard. Oh well, too late, yours seems to be starting with your fingers. USE THE GEL
DeleteBoth Votes SNP. One for devolution and the other for dependence.
ReplyDeleteBoth votes SNP for progressive social and environmental policies. Its agenda includes strong support for LGBTQ+ rights, ambitious net zero targets to combat climate change, and robust measures to counter hate and discrimination. This reflects a firm commitment to equality, social justice, and sustainability.
ReplyDelete9.21am - can you explain what rights the + sign has?
DeleteAnon at 9.21
DeleteYou missed out the I after the Q. There might be a few more letters this week, but will we just settle on 6 today? Plus the + of course.
The + is an insult to all of us who identify as - however. Do not EXCLUDE us with your imbalanced positive-only inclusivity. That rules out half of the spectrum! We too must be seen!
DeleteI identify as /. I am naturally divisive but can’t find that on my keyboard.
DeleteJohn Swinney has spent more time defending his pal Mathieson’s attempt to claim £11k on iPad expenses than independence.
ReplyDeleteNicola Sturgeon has spent more time trying to convince people Isla Bryson is a women and should be in a women’s prison than independence.
Humza Yousaf spent more time dreaming about his FM pension than independence.
While it’s true that Michael Matheson’s iPad expenses became a political issue, Swinney’s role was to ensure due process was followed rather than simply defending a pal.
DeleteYou also misrepresent Sturgeon’s focus. The Scottish Government had broader policies on gender recognition and prison placements.
There is no evidence that Yousaf was focused on his pension. This is a baseless attack designed to distract from his actual record.
Ifs at 930 detests Nicola Sturgeon more than the unionists combined. We all move on in life Ifs is just a mysogenist living in the past.
DeleteAnon at 9.33. Your second paragraph is an outright lie. You lose credibility when you tell such lies. N S intervened directly and put an end to what you claim. Stop reading the Daily Mail. N S failed hugely and let us all down in many ways in her last few years as F M, but you lie.
DeleteAnon @ 10.22am ifs lives for free in your head. You can’t even spell the word misogynist.
Delete12.40pm look why not just leave rewriting history until we see the definitive truth from Sturgeon herself in her book. Ha ha that will be a work of fiction just like your comment. People saw her infamous TV interview where she refused to say Bryson was a man when she was FM. She doubled down on that in an interview with the Britnat papers more recently. Perhaps you should be telling Sturgeon to stop giving interviews to Britnat papers. Of course she has a book to sell.
DeleteIt was Scotgov policy to send trans women to female prisons. Probably still is.
If you think Sturgeon decided to send a woman to a male prison then what does that make her and you for thinking that is ok.
Sturgeon lies not me and I don’t read the Daily Mail but you seem to be well aware of its contents.
What you seem to be saying is that people who run prisons are incapable of assessing the risks of people like Isla Bryson and are unqualified and incapable of foreseeing any potential problems and incapable of planning ahead to preclude risks. 'Sturgeon' didn't 'make the decision' to sent Isla Bryson anywhere. Like most rational people, she probably assumed the legal process and experienced prison decision-makers were professional experts and would have agreed a preventative rational 'all things considered' way of proceeding in such circumstances. 'Sturgeon' doesn't run prisons and is not the decision-maker in these cases. Like the majority of people, she would assume that the on the ground decision-making experts have the capacity to factor in common sense and likelihood of risk in their decision-making. It's what they are trained and paid to do after all.
DeleteAnon @1.31pm if you want your comments to be taken seriously then why not say who you are addressing them to.
DeleteThe whole idea of independence is complete lunacy.
ReplyDeleteI know. Someone should tell Britain to end their lunacy. And France.
DeleteAnon 952 wants England to be part of USA.
DeleteSorry 947am.
DeleteFrom the Herald: "Why we shouldn't dismiss Mull's school saga as a 'remote' issue"
ReplyDeleteThat headline on its own shows that Scotland has an us and a them; a Central Belt versus rural and highlands and islands severe attitude problem.
Less of the "we", paleface.
Someone's trying to drive a wedge between us Central Belt residents and the rest of Scotland.
DeleteDivide and conquer.
The coloniser always reinforces "distinctions without a difference" in the colonised population. Keep them at eachother's throats, so they always turn to you for your support.
DeleteThe worst of this was in Africa. The Rwandan genocide was Belgium's legacy: who made the Hutu and Tutsi peoples live in black-on-black Apartheid? Oh, but the White Man, even after he was gone.
Whenever someone slags off the Gaels or the Highlands in general, Scottish or otherwise, you know their game. It's the cringe, and it was engineered for a reason.
Dr Jim has a track record of insulting people north of the Weegieville suburbs.
DeleteAnon 9;47 Tell that to the Ukrainians.
ReplyDeleteThis comment is dedicated to my anon fan at 10.12am.
ReplyDeleteSarwar is now promising to abolish peak rail fares and also signals income tax cuts. A Sarwar promise is like a Sturgeon promise - worthless.
Ifs can’t make a comment about labour in Scotland without denouncing Nicola Sturgeon. What a saddo.
ReplyDeleteAnon numpties - just so easy to wind up. It only took 5 mins this time.
DeleteSturgeon has set the benchmark over the last ten years for worthless promises. More than reasonable to compare current politicians with her track record. Remember the Scottish energy company promise anyone from 2017. What have we got from her 10 year reign - a fake GB energy company from Labour and the highest energy prices in Europe. Having loads of oil and gas and wind farms in Scotland gets you high energy prices. Who would have thought that. Me. It's because Scotland is a colony and we have a fake independence leadership.
IFS,
DeleteSpouting your “colony” nonsense again eh!
Dear oh dear!
Embarrassing or what!
KC at 11.58am what do you hate most:-
Delete1. A de facto referendum or
2. Scotland is a colony and you are a House Jock.
Idiot for Scotland is on the steroids again. To save him the bother, SNP/NS Baaaad!!!! There you go.
DeleteIfs-your anon as well! No self awareness. So at least you confessed that you only put comments on about NS to generate a response. Personally, you will get one to call out the distortions and lies. But hey, let’s move forward to win an independence majority at the next election.
ReplyDeleteNot sure you would be happy with that though.
Anon at 11.58am. I confessed nothing to you or other anon numpties. So in that post of yours where have you called out the lies. Nowhere - copying your hero Sturgeon by making false promises.
DeleteI have posted it so many times you would think numpties like you would get it but you never seem to. I will be happy with a de facto referendum and a yes vote. Your vague " independence majority at the next election" is no different from 2021. 5 years wasted and you want another 5 years wasted.
Idiot for Scotland has a track record of distorting what others say and outright lies. He has never campaigned for Indy, never staffed a stall or put leaflets through letterboxes. He is a lonely sad troll who craves attention, thus his posts to elicit a response. Incoming.
DeleteAgree - do you think he has any friends other than a wee scraggy dog called Farage?
DeleteAnons getting annoyed but have no arguments just silly comments. Says more about them than ifs.
DeleteHello IFS,
DeleteI’m struggling with this de facto referendum thing. It’s not something I’m familiar with. Has there ever been such a thing?
I’d be greatful if you could spare a few minutes of your time to enlighten me.
Many thanks.
Anon at 2.56. We are laughing at him, or maybe I should say you? No anger but a wee bit of pity. What a sad wee life he has. Either way he’s getting called out for lies and distortions. Don’t like it? Away back to WOS.
DeleteAnon at 4.43pm All I see from you and your ilk is silly comments. Never seen any argument/ debate or you calling out any lies or distortions. Your contribution to this blog is like something a 15 year old would make.
DeleteIreland needs to defend against English aggression. That’s what it’s defence has always been based on, and nothing has changed. Geography’s like that. England is not strong militarily right now, presenting no threat to Ireland. It was much stronger when it tried to overturn Ireland’s independence 1919-21, yet embarrassingly, still got beat by a load of ‘mick potato farmers’.
ReplyDeleteIt’s the same for Scotland. Apart from Norse raiding – which seems unlikely these given they’re rich enough as it is – it is England that militarily occupies us and plunders our resources against our democratic will. This has applied once again since 2021 when our national election was overturned.
What an embarrassing post.
DeleteHideous.
Garbage.
Delete@Declan whoever he, she or AI really is - possibly just a mischievous cut and paster.
You wouldn’t understand. Go and ask your fellow Daily Mail readers.
ReplyDelete