tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post472145481967869552..comments2024-03-29T09:36:27.923+00:00Comments on SCOT goes POP!: The politics of non-withdrawalJames Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-467260071386989722021-04-01T20:27:49.215+01:002021-04-01T20:27:49.215+01:00No, it's more to do with the fact that UDI is ...No, it's more to do with the fact that UDI is found to be quite shocking to soft no's and soft year's, if you got out of your bubble you might realise this.Chalkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04213040936824465050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-32559312027568352102021-04-01T19:45:29.607+01:002021-04-01T19:45:29.607+01:00
Worth taking a look at.
https://whatscotlandthi...<br /><br />Worth taking a look at.<br /><br />https://whatscotlandthinks.org/poll/survation-30-3-2021/JimAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00085025865441342504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-10052431047594367642021-04-01T19:20:43.331+01:002021-04-01T19:20:43.331+01:00Naturally perhaps we're all focusing on the 3%...Naturally perhaps we're all focusing on the 3%, but look both Labour and Tory below 20% in regions... that is GOOD NEWS.normhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04000148514416602835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-35323385261377345512021-04-01T19:12:46.226+01:002021-04-01T19:12:46.226+01:00Seems the Yoons fear AS more than NS. Says it all ...Seems the Yoons fear AS more than NS. Says it all really!IainMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16275938824368038982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-64479047916519839492021-04-01T19:08:59.342+01:002021-04-01T19:08:59.342+01:00''The Survation poll, carried out exclusiv...''The Survation poll, carried out exclusively for DC Thomson, found the former first minister’s pro-independence party, Alba Party, to be seriously lagging behind the other major parties – with only 3% of Scots saying they would offer support at the ballot box.''JimAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00085025865441342504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-76885110174222419522021-04-01T18:58:44.639+01:002021-04-01T18:58:44.639+01:00Seems a tad early to call what will happen. Regard...Seems a tad early to call what will happen. Regardless of which camp anyone is in.HandandShrimphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03939941038174070219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-61898185309031937962021-04-01T18:49:28.204+01:002021-04-01T18:49:28.204+01:00I feel pretty neutral towards Alba. Think I will s...I feel pretty neutral towards Alba. Think I will stick with the SNP but others can do as the spirit moves them. I would say that there had been some serious vitriol thrown at the SNP and Nicola by posters here and on Wings for months now. Hardly conducive to attracting SNP voters to lend their vote on the list. <br /><br />Of course it may be the intent of some of these people is to sow discord rather than promote ndependence. It is sometimes hard to determine the overly passionate from the Tory/Unionist concern troll. <br /><br />On numbers what I can say is that as of this Monday (zoom branch meeting) our branch had gone up by 12% over the last couple of months suggesting to me that the membership increase is real. I don't know the national membership but each branch knows its own tally (by name) on a monthly update basis. So although Alba have attracted members both from the SNP and new members, both parties are speaking to a constituency in the Yes ranks and are attracting people. This is good.<br /><br />This may mean that the SNP leadership have an easier time with fewer awkward squad members but I'm not so sure that is a good thing. Variety is the spice of life.HandandShrimphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03939941038174070219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-38458648314983166172021-04-01T18:33:26.773+01:002021-04-01T18:33:26.773+01:00'If Alba get a handful of MSPs elected to Holy...'If Alba get a handful of MSPs elected to Holyrood, what will they actually do to bring about a referendum which is legal and internationally recognised, sooner than the 2.5 year time frame suggested by the SNP?'<br /><br />You may not have noticed, but Alba isn't a referendum party. It's a plebiscite party. It's not going there to hold the SNP's feet to the fire.<br /><br />It's going there to light a fire under Westminster's feet.Alan Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14002781913954524919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-91274310004805889242021-04-01T18:33:19.848+01:002021-04-01T18:33:19.848+01:00The Courier's spin on their poll.
https://www...The Courier's spin on their poll.<br /><br />https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2094895/its-all-over-for-salmond-exclusive-polling-puts-alba-party-on-3/?utm_source=twitterMarciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11303213282884555577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-30733617985016576852021-04-01T18:31:00.080+01:002021-04-01T18:31:00.080+01:00Context, including favourability of leaders: https...Context, including favourability of leaders: https://archive.is/nfHUsnormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04000148514416602835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-57996152953258005742021-04-01T18:29:32.403+01:002021-04-01T18:29:32.403+01:00A new poll. Commissioned by D C Thomson for their ...A new poll. Commissioned by D C Thomson for their two daily papers.<br /><br />Scottish parliament voting intention(s):<br /><br />Constituency:<br />SNP: 49% (-1)<br />CON: 21% (-)<br />LAB: 20% (-)<br />LDEM: 9% (+1)<br /><br />List:<br />SNP: 37% (-2)<br />LAB: 19% (-1)<br />CON: 18% (-1)<br />GRN: 11% (-)<br />LDEM: 8% (+1)<br />ALBA: 3% (+3)<br /><br />via <br />@Survation<br /><br />Chgs. w/ 18 MarMarciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11303213282884555577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-60880098166943673872021-04-01T18:02:00.819+01:002021-04-01T18:02:00.819+01:00Oh? What have I missed? I guess no poll is ever tr...Oh? What have I missed? I guess no poll is ever truly reliable and rarely matches with election results.Union 2.0https://www.blogger.com/profile/16006292834539508418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-89660570513533131102021-04-01T17:50:44.573+01:002021-04-01T17:50:44.573+01:00From reports so far, I'm concerned we won'...From reports so far, I'm concerned we won't get reliable results. Scottish Skierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10584099659760612109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-51760369007214470232021-04-01T17:50:08.783+01:002021-04-01T17:50:08.783+01:00They can stand in the future in an Alba ticket or ...They can stand in the future in an Alba ticket or step down and trigger a by-election. I'm sure Alba voters would be really unhappy if any Alba candidates elected in May promptly defect to the SNP for example.<br /><br />My own opinion is if you want to defect, the morally / democratically correct thing to do is to step down and ask for a new mandate. It's bit different if you have the whip removed or go even go independent, but joining a rival party takes away your electoral mandate.<br /><br />If UKIP's Douglass Carswell has the honor to do that, so can Yes politicians of any party.Scottish Skierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10584099659760612109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-91950152775779922032021-04-01T17:47:17.309+01:002021-04-01T17:47:17.309+01:00Can’t wait to see the next opinion poll, what will...Can’t wait to see the next opinion poll, what will Alba score?Union 2.0https://www.blogger.com/profile/16006292834539508418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-8955374181945738102021-04-01T17:38:27.388+01:002021-04-01T17:38:27.388+01:00I meant there may be more councillors and MPs who ...I meant there may be more councillors and MPs who might shift over but if they're not standing for HR, wouldn't need to declare that yet. The SNP would be wise to try and keep them, imo. But given their reaction to those leaving so far has been "we're glad to be rid of them" there might be more they're happy to lose. Fergiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13883245896491699155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-34841581856053012512021-04-01T17:37:32.841+01:002021-04-01T17:37:32.841+01:00This is why I am unhappy with those who have left ...This is why I am unhappy with those who have left the SNP but kept their SNP funded / rosetted seats. It's fraud and anti-democratic not to seek a new mandate for your new party. <br /><br />I'd be fuming if Grahame did that. If she stepped down and asked for my vote again, I'd seriously consider it.Scottish Skierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10584099659760612109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-75690704237612632182021-04-01T17:35:00.847+01:002021-04-01T17:35:00.847+01:00Obviously anyone planning to defect but is going t...Obviously anyone planning to defect but is going to lie their way into a seat before doing so, defrauding activists / donators of time and cash, is not fit for office.<br /><br />This is not how you create unity, nor how you treat the electorate / democracy. <br /><br />Standing for Alba is all fine and well if you openly do so, but getting on an SNP ticket then doing so would be an awful thing to do. Defectors post election should stand down and trigger a by-election or let the next SNP candidate on the list take their seat.Scottish Skierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10584099659760612109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-11362348611151486792021-04-01T17:34:16.265+01:002021-04-01T17:34:16.265+01:00The SDP is a salutary example of the myth of "...The SDP is a salutary example of the myth of "personal" votes and breaking through. At one point I seem to remember they were leading in the polls. In 1983 they got 6 seats and in 1987 they got 5. Of course that was under FPTP, under a more proportional system they might have got more, as they polled around 10%. And there are examples of the myth of personal votes in Scotland and "break through" parties too.<br /><br />We shall see. I just hope an Indy majority isn't lost, otherwise I think I'll have to emigrate somewhere warm with cheap wine.Dornaidhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07997125006131324086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-18015904230893903802021-04-01T17:21:28.772+01:002021-04-01T17:21:28.772+01:00I don't know. But I'm damn sure Alex Salmo...I don't know. But I'm damn sure Alex Salmond, Kenny MacAskill, Joanna Cherry and others behind the scenes do. And that's the real prize of having a new pro Independence Party as the main opposition, rather than unionist ones. <br /><br />It would change everything: the make up, the optics, the way FMQs works and the media reports it. The SNP are the Scottish Government, which is great in many ways. But you can't be both the government and a campaigning opposition. Currently all opposition is framed by anti-independence parties - three of them attacking the FM, the media reporting her as "under attack". A pro independence opposition party opens up the possibilities endlessly to explore other options. Fergiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13883245896491699155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-39739746692368379462021-04-01T17:14:45.530+01:002021-04-01T17:14:45.530+01:00"Did 28 labour mps not defect to the sdp?&quo..."Did 28 labour mps not defect to the sdp?"<br /><br />Jeez, did you even read what I said? Here it is again: "the only new party that attracted more defections than this is the SDP".James Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-75981557282704423022021-04-01T17:06:28.387+01:002021-04-01T17:06:28.387+01:00I really have a hard time with the terminology &qu...I really have a hard time with the terminology "defections". It indicates that the person has suddenly turned traitor. In fact, almost all if not all of those joining ALBA are going to VOTE for the SNP in the constituency. The actions of those joining ALBA are not to harm the SNP but to try to maximize the independence supporting MSPs in Parliament. While I totally disagree with their premise and feel that that it risks a lot for little gain, and as a person who will be voting SNP on both constituency and regional, I am not going to label fellow YES supporters as "defectors" or worse. That is the language of the Yoons and has no place in the YES movement. Scotland needs all of us to deliver independence and these nasty spats only work to help the Yoons. We may differ on tactics but the goal is the same. Let us remember that.Doonhamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13545135295707181064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-81500028405326770822021-04-01T16:26:43.789+01:002021-04-01T16:26:43.789+01:00Fergie, maybe you can answer this question, as god...Fergie, maybe you can answer this question, as god knows nobody else wants to go near it for some reason. 'If Alba get a handful of MSPs elected to Holyrood, what will they actually do to bring about a referendum which is legal and internationally recognised, sooner than the 2.5 year time frame suggested by the SNP?Tearlachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08254989313112559681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-38542700392815014862021-04-01T16:14:59.936+01:002021-04-01T16:14:59.936+01:00Thanks for writing this James. It's very need...Thanks for writing this James. It's very needed. The sheer amount of vitriolic abuse over the past few days has been horrific, from both sides. It feels bizarrely like that we suffered in 2014, except this time from people supposedly on the pro-independence side. For those of us who've been in the SNP over the past few years, sadly the anti-Alba stuff is all too familiar though, especially the TERF, right winger crap.<br /><br />I left the party last year and have been politically homeless ever since, though would never want to abuse for campaign against the party or anyone in it. But I was at the point I was considering not voting this year for the first time ever. Alba has reinvigorated the debate and brought it back to independence now, and that can only be a good thing. As a result, I'll go out enthusiastically again and vote SNP1 / Alba2. <br /><br />I can't understand why so many in the SNP see this as a bad thing - Alba will help both their vote and the pro-independence vote. I can only imagine many of the most abusive are staffers (that certainly seemed to be the case with abuse while a member of the party) who fear for their jobs if the party implodes. But Alba isn't going to do that to the SNP: it will strengthen it if anything.<br /><br />As for defections, I doubt we've seen the last. It was only people standing for Holyrood who had to declare by yesterday. One great thing Alba will do is give strength to people in the SNP who were too afraid to speak out over the past few years - the atmosphere in the party really has been toxic, especially for women. So it may be that there are people still in the party the SNP need to really listen to now if they want to keep them. The threat they we're under before of being kicked, or bullied, out the party is much reduced by the ability to defect to another party. If the SNP carry on down the line that they're delighted to lose anyone that challenges policy or leadership, well they'll be happy to lose a few more, right?<br /><br />A new pro indy list party is the best thing that could happen for independence, so let's work together, stop abusing each other, and put independence first. SNP1 / Alba, Green or SNP 2 (dependent on which region your in): it's not hard.Fergiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13883245896491699155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-13447709550775087722021-04-01T16:10:18.544+01:002021-04-01T16:10:18.544+01:00Yes, but it is unlikely to give a reliable result ...Yes, but it is unlikely to give a reliable result unless all parties are presented in a similar way. Adding leader names is not necessarily an issue, but only adding the leader of one party on the list options would be.<br /><br />Also, will leaders names be on the regional ballot? If not, such an approach is questionable in terms of how well it will predict things. Scottish Skierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10584099659760612109noreply@blogger.com