The Western Isles MP Angus Brendan MacNeil has been holding a Twitter poll over the last 24 hours on the timing of an independence referendum. The results are dramatic, with a combined total of 88% of the thousands of people who took part saying that the current mandate for a pre-2021 referendum should be used. Just 12% think the mandate should be allowed to expire.
Now of course I'm not going to pretend that a self-selecting Twitter poll is a scientifically rigorous exercise. Nevertheless I do think it's of some interest. Public opinion polls tell us about the views of the public, whereas a poll like this captures the views of the demographic that follows SNP parliamentarians on social media - ie. people who are the foot-soldiers of both the Yes movement and of the SNP. Their opinions do count for something. And at just over 5000, the sample size is impressive. Remember that Twitter only allows one vote per account, so it's unlikely that the result was distorted by widespread multiple voting. People's votes are also anonymous, so if they had wanted to quietly express a preference for letting the mandate expire, they could have done so without any fears. There just doesn't seem to be much appetite for that option within the movement.
As I have said before, Pete Wishart is wrong, you are right, end of.
ReplyDeleteThere was many years ago a statement from the Nat sis that they went to Westminster to inevitably make themselves redundant and have their own wee Nat Si Jocko State.
ReplyDeleteHowever since then it has been obvious that since being in the EU the EU will dictate Scottish policy.
The current Jocko Nat sis in Westminster must be thinking twice about seperation when they all have the money and trappings like the Red Lion and trolling around Clapham Common doing some bird watching.
Hello Glynis. Are you well?
DeleteHello Glynis. Are you well?
DeleteSo, what part of Glasgow is Clapham Common in exactly?
DeleteMost areas.
DeleteState of this and its utter confusion.
DeleteIt has to be either September 18 or April 19. However the franchise must be agreed before March 19 to capture the EU citizens.
ReplyDeleteThe franchise has, in effect, already been agreed due to a combination of this and the precedent set with the 2014 referendum franchise.
Deletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43456502
EU citizens living in Scotland will still be eligible to vote in a Scottish referendum until after December 2020 due to preserved rights. Heck, anyone from the EU who moves to Scotland at least three months before such a referendum would be eligible to vote.
"However the franchise must be agreed before March 19 to capture the EU citizens."
DeleteThe transition until - is it 2020(?) retains EU rules in the UK, so, this is possibly not the case. I worry that "Referendum Now" yessers have stoked an intense sense of urgency amongst themselves (HR is gonna be abolished, Tory coup, NHS sold off) that might not have a basis in fact.
Can I ask why you think that the entire Unionist establishment are also intent on a 'delay IndyRef2 at all cost strategy', if the urgency is simply a figment of YES imagination? Especially if actually delaying IndyRef2 will INCREASE the likely hood of Independence and not decrease it as the 'YES delay' proponents all contend?
DeleteIt is this apparent coming together of YES and NO supporters in the desire to delay another IndyRef campaign that YES 'delay' proponents need to convincingly explain to the 'YES indyRef before BREXIT' proponents. Its simple logic, Scotland in Union AND the Pete Wisharts cannot both be correct.
Can you do that commentor?
braco
Who are "Referendum Now" Yessers, Commentor? I'm not aware of anyone who wants a referendum "now". You wouldn't be trying to be needlessly provocative to create some "draaaamaaaaa", would you? Yeah, I suspect you would.
DeleteI don't know of anyone who has predicted that Holyrood will be abolished. With the power grab and giving WM powers to change laws, it is highly likely to be hamstrung to the point of uselessness though
DeleteThe Scottish Nat sis will have to abandon the EU beaurocracy before campaigning for Scottish independence. No more deep frozen butter hand outs from the EU mafia insulting the working classes. The EU Mafia con men need to be sent into oblivion. Wake up the people of Scotland and Nations in Europe you can do better..The Irish capitulation to the EU was shocking and sickening.
ReplyDeleteI've seen your interesting attempts at spelling 'bureaucracy' before, and they're always entertaining.
DeleteHello Glynis. Are you well?
DeleteJames, I aim to please.
DeleteState of this and its miserable failure.
DeleteBritnatsis spread hate and mis-information,as we all can see.
DeleteHow very true.
DeleteI am a Jock Unionist and do not hate the English, unlike you Jock Nat si rascists who do hate the English. That is your only purpose in life.
DeleteHello Glynis. Are you well?
DeleteEvidently not. Check out the state of it.
DeleteJames, Gordon Ross has made the suggestion on his YouTube channel today of crowdfunding our own poll(s). I'm sure many people would contribute, I certainly would. Gordon favours a block-chain regulated electronic poll. Personally I think it would be worthwhile to first commission a more traditional poll emulating the best practice of the polling agencies that you review on this site. It would be interesting to know your thoughts on this.
ReplyDeleteI would have thought it would be simpler just to commission a poll from an established firm, unless what Gordon Ross is suggesting would be radically cheaper.
DeleteCan I ask any 'delay IndyRef' Yessers a question please? Why is the entire Unionist establishment also intent on a 'delay IndyRef2 at all cost strategy', if delaying IndyRef2 will INCREASE the likely hood of Independence and not decrease it?
ReplyDeleteIt's this apparent illogical coming together of YES and NO supporters in their desire to delay another IndyRef campaign that we 'IndyRef2 before Brexit' yessers need explained.
'Delay' proponents need to convincingly explain this contradiction. Its simple logic, Scotland in Union AND the Pete Wisharts of the movement cannot both be correct. Can they?
This is an honest question...
braco
As far as I can see, the unionist view on a 2nd Indyref isn’t ‘delay IndyRef2 at all cost’, but ‘No Indyref at all’. The nearest I’ve heard at any point to a delay is Our Dear PM’s ‘Now is not the time’
DeleteI think the theory of a delayed Indyref isn’t about the delay increasing the chances of success, but - in the light of a slower than anticipated increase in Indy support – about waiting until as late as possible while the pro-Indy polling gathers, so we’re nearer the line before the race starts
I’m pretty sure that if the post-EuRef boost had lasted a bit longer, we may well have been in mid-campaign by this time (had it been permitted by Our Dear PM of course)
I would have had the referendum yesterday but it is not in my hands. I am a gloater and want to see you Nat sis trashed ASP... The Engish vote to Brexit was historical and saved Scotland from being a speck on the EU dominated map. If Scotland does vote for independence then we will be independent.
DeleteHello Glynis. Are you well?
DeleteHi braco,
DeleteThe unionists don't want at any point so its not really a coming together.
thanks,
Ross
Nat sis hiv gon quiet the meeting in the red telephone box must have resumed.
ReplyDeleteHello Glynis. Are you well?
DeleteFine Rex are you still nashing the dug meat?
DeleteState of this.
Delete
ReplyDeleteFor SNP members there is an opportunity coming to send a message to the SNP leadership via the vote for SNP deputy.
Chris McEleny wants indyref2 in the next 18 months.
All the UK citizens should have the vote on Scottish independence. We Scots voted to remain in the Union and it should be set in stone for at least a century.
ReplyDeleteState of this.
Delete