tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post3785981431390444335..comments2024-03-28T21:57:37.824+00:00Comments on SCOT goes POP!: What do the parties' choice of nominees to the devolution commission tell us?James Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-62536739023318299222014-09-28T12:20:13.142+01:002014-09-28T12:20:13.142+01:00There's always some low level fraud. People mo...There's always some low level fraud. People move away and remain registered at the family home. People register to vote at their holiday home. Labour have a reputation for registering fictitious people at real and fictitious addresses. That last is the only one that's really systematic fraud, and the councils have been clamping down on it. In any case, there's a limit to how far they can take it, because all parties have access to the electoral roll and they have to stay until the radar.<br /><br />I wish people would stop going on about the low level fiddling as if that proves major organised misconduct. It doesn't. The system is remarkably robust at the macro level.<br /><br />Low level fiddling is far more likely to make a difference in a close fought FPTP seat. It isn't capable of affecting a country wide referendum with a 400,000 gap between the sides.Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17849975010197698907noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-26756557174294583072014-09-28T02:51:03.670+01:002014-09-28T02:51:03.670+01:00Anon : There may well have been some postal vote f...Anon : There may well have been some postal vote fraud. It's reasonable to assume that goes on to some extent in most elections, because the system is wide open to abuse. But even if it did happen, there's no way that it swung the balance, because No won a narrow majority of votes cast on the day itself.James Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-15208665307306974042014-09-28T01:37:34.719+01:002014-09-28T01:37:34.719+01:00G Mac could well be covering up something. Wouldn... G Mac could well be covering up something. Wouldn't be the first famous person to get married and have children while going for long walks on Hampstead Heath.<br /><br /> He might not though ,however vote rigging happened. Postal votes were filled out by party wonks. Yes votes were destroyed. We know it happened. proving it and the numbers involved is the difficult bit.<br /><br /> BTB. Some people even become PM with lavender marriages. So I've heard.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-34539518058351789382014-09-28T01:37:34.038+01:002014-09-28T01:37:34.038+01:00G Mac could well be covering up something. Wouldn... G Mac could well be covering up something. Wouldn't be the first famous person to get married and have children while going for long walks on Hampstead Heath.<br /><br /> He might not though ,however vote rigging happened. Postal votes were filled out by party wonks. Yes votes were destroyed. We know it happened. proving it and the numbers involved is the difficult bit.<br /><br /> BTB. Some people even become PM with lavender marriages. So I've heard.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-61836423200579604832014-09-27T15:39:57.535+01:002014-09-27T15:39:57.535+01:00" I have a horrible feeling something will be...<i>" I have a horrible feeling something will be thrashed out, though."</i><br /><br />Well see James. To add to the hilarity tory MP Mark Reckless has also now defected to the kippers so there's going to be huge amount of pressure on the broadcasters. <br /><br />You add to that the fact that the SNP is now easily the third biggest party in the UK and we're going to see soon enough just how trustworthy all the 'Better Together' spin and VOWS from the our of touch westminster parties were.<br /><br />The cowardly Cameron looks weaker than ever mere hours after he and the other two westminster party poodles did their pathetic Blair impersonation on Iraq to please the chickenhawks and warmongers. <br /><br />As the post at 1.42 indicates Cameron certainly didn't like the debates last time. He and the chumocracy have actively been making noises for months to try and delay and scupper the debates this time. Even though Cameron is up against the pitiful little Ed and the toxic Calamity Clegg. <br /><br />So even if the debates somehow do go ahead just like last time it's guaranteed to be a voter repelling 'battle of the giants'. ;-) <br /><br />Most lib dems probably wish the debates could be scuppered to considering just how much damage calamity Clegg will do when he gets asked about manifesto pledges, VOWS and commitments.Mick Porknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-79485328012702047392014-09-27T13:49:10.594+01:002014-09-27T13:49:10.594+01:00Yes, that would be absolutely ideal. I have a hor...Yes, that would be absolutely ideal. I have a horrible feeling something will be thrashed out, though.James Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-21836198381981249922014-09-27T13:42:37.142+01:002014-09-27T13:42:37.142+01:00The thing that might help the SNP this time is if ...The thing that might help the SNP this time is if there aren't any TV debates. Cameron didn't like them last time and you've now got the Farage problem.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-70009959941750686722014-09-27T13:30:59.137+01:002014-09-27T13:30:59.137+01:00Chalks : The SNP had periods of being in the lead ...Chalks : The SNP had periods of being in the lead in the 2005-10 parliament, especially in 2008 after the Glasgow East by-election. But they slipped back, and then suffered a catastrophic drop after the broadcast of the TV debates from which they were excluded. It was a minor miracle that they recovered sufficiently to just pip the Lib Dems for second place in the popular vote.<br /><br />I fear we could see a similar pattern this time unless an electoral pact is negotiated.James Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-22393101677651701582014-09-27T13:26:24.619+01:002014-09-27T13:26:24.619+01:00If I see another indyref poll I will lose it. I...If I see another indyref poll I will lose it. I'd also rather not know if we are up from 45% due to recent events. As again, I would lose it lol. <br /><br />What were the SNP on in 2010?chalksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-1245793049429695922014-09-27T13:02:39.774+01:002014-09-27T13:02:39.774+01:00I really do not see anything significant coming ou...I really do not see anything significant coming out of Calman 2. The SNP are right to take part, and be constructive. I would expect them to campaign for Devo max when we learn of the insufficient powers on offer. <br /><br />If the SNP remain at anywhere near 40 per cent next May, then SLAB are in real difficulties. Their usual 'vote Labour to keep out the Tories' is going to start suffering from the law of diminishing returns. The SNP just needs to point to 2010. The message needs to be hammered home that the Scottish vote very rarely affects the formation of governments at Westminster. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-58394216038204672182014-09-27T11:48:54.182+01:002014-09-27T11:48:54.182+01:00At future internationals during the national anthe...At future internationals during the national anthems , including our own, why don't the crowd simply chant, YES WE CAN.Brian Sinclairnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-71559329071358947552014-09-27T09:55:25.605+01:002014-09-27T09:55:25.605+01:00Really enjoyable post, James.
I know exactly wha...Really enjoyable post, James. <br /><br />I know exactly what you mean regards the Ryder Cup and 'being Scottish'. I watched it yesterday with a few pals and we all felt almost what you could describe at the "Cringe" of it all. I've never been a sufferer of it before, but, more so for the international audience.<br /><br />They voted no. Yet, still claim to be unique and have this own identity and mentions of Scotland here, pipes, kilts, and so on. <br /><br />Heard some traditional Scots music last night and usually it would have me bouncing or tapping along. Felt absolutley nothing! I am assuming this is a 'bitter' phase I am going through, but even seeing the Saltire now and again I'm sick to my stomach seeing it - it flies above the local authority and seeing as my voted no, it probably should be replaced by the real flag. <br /><br />I had an interesting conversation with a No yesterday. He's a 'proud' Scot. He was talking about the upcoming qualifiers and friendlies for the football team and I told him I am not interested in going as it's far too expensive and I can't be bothered with it, and will most definitely not be watching the England and Irish games - to hear that anthem, and how much of a (quite right too) ribbing we'll take from the Irish and English about voting no.<br /><br />I hope this will pass through and I'll be passionate about Scotland, but I'm finding it very hard at present. More apathetic really about it all. <br /><br />Would rather focus on something else in my life. Joined the SNP so will be working at that.<br /><br />All the best and looking forward to hear some more polls.<br /><br />Wonder if we'll get a post-Indy opinion poll to see what the numbers would be now after the vow, fracking, bombing Iraq, possible cut in our allowance, <br /><br />It looks mental ridden down, but that's basically what we have. We get an allowance like a 17 year old might get for doing chores around the house for his parents. <br /><br />I find it unbeliveable that Scottish people, or the people who reside in Scotland would not want to control their own affairs or at least not want more fiscal freedom for their government. <br /><br />The SNP nneed to push on now for Devo Max. Sit tight the now, go to the Kelvin Commision and listen/be productive - the Unionists will fight amongst themselves, Tories seem to be offering the most, Labour the least, Libs saying they back home rule, but they may well be an irrelevance. We wait and bide. <br /><br />SNP come back in time for 2015 election and say that so far progress is not enough for us to control our own affairs, we will fight for home rule. <br /><br />The Union parties are in a bit of a pickle. In their blind panic and their private polling have Yes on 53% and their un-informed media painting up these "more powers" as "devo max" and "federalism". <br /><br />Christ, that was a bity long.<br /><br />Anyhoos it's Saturday and the sun is shining in the No voting parts of east Scotland, north Britain. <br /><br />So I'm off for a walk.<br />Kevinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-60744971438693399362014-09-27T09:45:08.104+01:002014-09-27T09:45:08.104+01:00We were told in 2007 and again in 2011 that 'S...We were told in 2007 and again in 2011 that <i>'Scots support Labour (and the Libs), but they like the SNP in Holyrood as they are competent'.</i><br /><br />This might be true. However, there is an alternative:<br /><br /><i>'Scots support the SNP but previous they voted Labour and Libs tactically for Westminster as a better option than the Tories'.</i><br /><br />Which might make more sense given which Parliament Scots want to run everything (45% indy) or just about everything (74% Devo Max). That and respective satisfaction, trust ratings etc.<br /><br />Of course the game has now changed considerably with indy and devo max at all time highs and more devo possibly on the cards.<br /><br />Labour are totally against more devo with the SNP most for. The Tories are more progressive on this front FFS. Libs are finished.<br /><br />Obviously, voting Lib or Lab also gives you a Tory government. 2010 reminded us of that. <br /><br />So, whom to vote for in 2015?<br />Scottish_Skiernoreply@blogger.com