tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post629238818038418627..comments2024-03-28T11:11:04.697+00:00Comments on SCOT goes POP!: Why it's important to give your lower preferences in the local elections to other pro-independence partiesJames Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-52480860898063912422017-04-20T16:51:06.342+01:002017-04-20T16:51:06.342+01:00What's independence got to do with the local c...What's independence got to do with the local councils? Surely that's a matter for Holyrood/Westminster? Councils don't have any powers in relation to the constitution. Council elections should be about who would do best for the area.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-12627609978274045572017-02-08T14:48:06.393+00:002017-02-08T14:48:06.393+00:00I'd advocate the opposite - when voting for ho...I'd advocate the opposite - when voting for hose who oversee the emptying of the bins, I think it important that the contents are disposed of responsibly. I don't want to get independence for a giant landfill site.<br />mmars_attacksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-81826308261024484022017-01-08T00:45:51.969+00:002017-01-08T00:45:51.969+00:00When voting for who takes out the bins, handing to...When voting for who takes out the bins, handing too much influence to the Greens is probably a bad idea - the remains of your xmas dinner will finally be disposed of by Halloween, if you're lucky. <br /><br />Anyway, it seems there is more scope for successful transfers of tactical votes on the unionist side. There are more parties with support more evenly distributed. There are also loads of independents who are really independent tories and local hero types who people will go out to vote for due to familiarity and loyalty - even if they aren't fully paid up members of the sare elbow society.<br /><br />Sorry to disappoint.Aldohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03385445471036440872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-16631921604350957132017-01-07T15:32:36.009+00:002017-01-07T15:32:36.009+00:00Can I suggest that when the SNP has two candidates...Can I suggest that when the SNP has two candidates in a ward you give your '1'to the SNP candidate placed lower on the ballot paper and your '2' to the SNP candidate higher up the ballot paper. (They are listed alphabetically) This helps because the majority of SNP votes with automatically place their '1' at the first listed SNP candidate, so it will be the candidate further down who struggles more to attract votes and will be more likely to not be elected.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-65919569272452574192017-01-07T10:22:05.735+00:002017-01-07T10:22:05.735+00:00There is a temptation to teach the Greens that the...There is a temptation to teach the Greens that their behaviour towards List voting in GE and underhand campaigning towards the SNP govt I general, is unacceptable. Even if thar means risking a few more unionist councillors. Their general policy places Green concerns above Scottish Independence even though this could defeat their goals as SNP and indy may be their only chance to get anywhere nearer to their primary objective. They need to be taught to get in line or get out of the way.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18099991106368571630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-9880790275296792272017-01-07T09:36:14.727+00:002017-01-07T09:36:14.727+00:00I'm assuming the result is calculated using th...I'm assuming the result is calculated using the D'Hondt (? spelling) system.<br /><br />That is, the party with the most votes gets the first representative, and then their overall vote is divided by the number of representatives they have + 1. As happens in the "closed list" system for the list MSPs at Holyrood.<br /><br />"Me Bungo Pony"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-62930775794395007022017-01-07T09:22:52.891+00:002017-01-07T09:22:52.891+00:00I've been advocating that system for years wit...I've been advocating that system for years with no inkling it was already in use anywhere. Despite having Finnish friends.<br /><br />I'd described it as an "open list" system. It allows you to vote for the party you want without tying you to a candidate you may dislike. You only have to put one X in one box, links the voter to local representatives and it is easy to see how each was elected.<br /><br />What's not to like?<br /><br />"Me Bungo Pony"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-82657799688996741442017-01-07T06:46:33.522+00:002017-01-07T06:46:33.522+00:00Thus speaks an ultra-right-wing authoritarian and ...Thus speaks an ultra-right-wing authoritarian and unthinking British nationalist. Still want armed militias in every office and factory, dearie? Or are you going to try lying your way out of that?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-40729332089639147572017-01-07T06:43:28.930+00:002017-01-07T06:43:28.930+00:00More craven snivellings from the Britnat si operat...More craven snivellings from the Britnat si operative. Its crayon-flecked ravings and obvious love for its Tory overlords would be hilarious if they weren't so abject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-776685134188814752017-01-06T23:50:47.693+00:002017-01-06T23:50:47.693+00:00Having lived in Finland for 30 years, I've lon...Having lived in Finland for 30 years, I've long wondered why the SNP put up so few candidates at local government elections. Now I understand. The electoral system is crap. Here each local authority is one big ward. The parties have candidate lists. People vote for a single candidate, the vote also being counted as a vote for the party. Each party is allocated X seats according to its percentage of the vote, and the X most popular candidates on the list are duly elected. This avoids the undemocratic nature of fixed lists ā la Holyrood, while preserving proportionality between the parties. The same system is used for both local and national elections, and EVERYBODY understands it. At European elections the whole country is a single constituency, but again the people rank the candidates, not the parties.<br />For some reason I have to choose between Google and Anonymous. I usually post as myself. Now I'll just remain anonymous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-14495883485072334042017-01-06T18:28:17.062+00:002017-01-06T18:28:17.062+00:00The Tank Commander gave Knickerless a severe undre...The Tank Commander gave Knickerless a severe undressing today over Brexit and another Joke referendum.Glasgow Working Class 2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-17729502123072465712017-01-06T18:24:43.922+00:002017-01-06T18:24:43.922+00:00So you want a Yellow Tory corrupt Nat si regime to...So you want a Yellow Tory corrupt Nat si regime to replace them ya brain dead right wing nutter.Glasgow Working Class 2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-60489146197849906692017-01-06T16:19:49.287+00:002017-01-06T16:19:49.287+00:00I live in a 4 member ward. The present make up is ...I live in a 4 member ward. The present make up is 1 Tory honest enough to stand as a Tory and 3 Independents who are closet Tories or Kippers. All of them are part of the corrupt and incompetent ruling clique of Moray Council. Chances of getting rid of them under STV voting system - ZERO!<br /><br />Apathy generated by the Brit Nat Press and Media nationally and locally will ensure that nothing changes. Iain Morenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-7510579197126784192017-01-06T16:07:49.949+00:002017-01-06T16:07:49.949+00:00Actually, there were more than three candidates, b...Actually, there were more than three candidates, but the others (including Labour) were minnows. I remember the count now. There was an initial gasp when the first interim results were displayed, because the Tory was a lot higher than anyone expected. The allocation went all the way but by the time I was eliminated the Tory only needed a few votes to make the quota and this duly happened from my transfers even though most people who had voted for me and had transfers still in the ring at this stage went LibDem.<br /><br />Basically the LibDem rot was well and truly setting in by then, and the Tory candidate was a nice young man from a popular local business family. The LibDem candidate was their failed second candidate from 2012 who was a bit of an odd old bat and not nearly as personable.<br /><br />I think the ward is currently polarising between Tory and SNP. If the Tories put up two candidates they might get two seats. The single SNP candidate (not selected yet) will still be fighting for the third seat. We'll probably get it all right though. We got it in 2012 and we're in a better position in 2017.Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16206952819245786811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-50090081422466014502017-01-06T15:54:46.798+00:002017-01-06T15:54:46.798+00:00In 2013 I was the (paper) SNP candidate in a counc...In 2013 I was the (paper) SNP candidate in a council by-election. I knew I wasn't going to be elected because our candidate had come third in 2012. He was (and is) still there - the by-election was caused by the resignation of the successful Tory candidate from 2012. The only question in 2013 was whether the LibDems (who topped the poll in 2012 with David Steele's daughter as candidate) would win again, or whether the Tory candidate would manage to save the seat. No way was it going to be an SNP win.<br /><br />I asked our branch convener what I should do with my lower preference votes. Apart from me there were only LibDem and Tory candidates. I said, what would our councillors prefer - another Tory so the balance of the council isn't altered, or another LibDem to join them in coalition against the Tories?<br /><br />I was told, just vote for yourself. It's SNP policy not to vote for any other party. So I thought, OK I don't see the sense in that but what the heck. I did as I was told.<br /><br />I think it's possible that in this case our councillors were secretly hoping for a Conservative win to avoid rocking the boat in the council. A LibDem gain would have strengthened the LibDems in their coalition with the SNP and it's possible that wasn't entirely desirable. (In fact the Tory did win so no great upset basically.)<br /><br />I don't see why only voting for SNP candidates should be general SNP policy in council elections though. Yes,m in FPTP and AMS systems it makes sense, but as James says you can't disadvantage the SNP candidate(s) by using your lower preferences for other candidates.Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16206952819245786811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-52527303799397380152017-01-06T15:43:32.989+00:002017-01-06T15:43:32.989+00:00As if by AV. Badly, basically.As if by AV. Badly, basically.Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16206952819245786811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-33393320254166478922017-01-06T12:00:02.412+00:002017-01-06T12:00:02.412+00:00Shoosh. The grown-ups are talking.Shoosh. The grown-ups are talking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-48271621517964522642017-01-06T10:08:41.777+00:002017-01-06T10:08:41.777+00:00But but how do by elections work?But but how do by elections work?Jonathan Riddellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09859737184799558540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-72222334696292776922017-01-06T09:38:48.090+00:002017-01-06T09:38:48.090+00:00When voting the electorate should take into consid...When voting the electorate should take into consideration the poor health situation of the Scottish people in deprived areas and the length of time the Yellow Tories have been in power as well as the fact the Scottish rich are getting richer. Glasgow Working Class 2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-31907730331322633342017-01-06T08:26:46.777+00:002017-01-06T08:26:46.777+00:00In some areas (like where I live) there is general...In some areas (like where I live) there is generally a slew of Independents. Some have "hidden" allegiances, some of them are just in it for themselves and their cronies and a few are decent people who do a good job. When I hear the meme about there shouldn't be party politics in local government, I think about them in particular. bjsalbanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-67858218117179891072017-01-06T05:54:14.167+00:002017-01-06T05:54:14.167+00:00The troll calls scottish people "jocks",...The troll calls scottish people "jocks", advocates arming Leave campaigners, claimed Jo Cox's husband was a fascist, uses racial and ethnic slurs, pretends to be Labour (badly) while espousing far-right racist hate-speech, praises Theresa May and the tories and displays a perverted poisonous obsession with Scotland's First Minister & her predecessorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-26605920342473284912017-01-06T00:07:07.483+00:002017-01-06T00:07:07.483+00:00James, the way it's counted is that if it come...James, the way it's counted is that if it comes down to 2 candidates, the lower count one is eliminated in the usual way and all the votes give to the other. So usually they will meet the quota, though not always.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-38652284002388887622017-01-06T00:03:03.400+00:002017-01-06T00:03:03.400+00:00She's a decent person oldnat, as far as I can ...She's a decent person oldnat, as far as I can see votes for an issue, not on any party lines. No idea what her Indy stance is. It's a neighbouring ward to mine which has 4, currently 2 SNP, 1 Lab, 1 Tory. They all work OK for the community but the Lab guy is VERY anti-SNP and anti-Indy, rabidly so.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-65444671335588241422017-01-05T23:58:17.259+00:002017-01-05T23:58:17.259+00:00Well, in my ward, SNP with two candidates got elec...Well, in my ward, SNP with two candidates got elected 1 and 2. If the SNP voters had given all their votes to the pro-indy independent (he voted YES), he would have got in. So it would have made a bit of difference in my council, where instead the Conservative got elected - in a NOC council which had an SNP majority of 1, now a Labour one after a by-election.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-83447060753033859252017-01-05T23:35:11.941+00:002017-01-05T23:35:11.941+00:00James Kelly you're an absolute star, whatever ...James Kelly you're an absolute star, whatever I may have said about you in the past (that's a joke).<br /><br />Yes, in STV you can absolutely totally safely use all preferences in the council elections, and this is a message that should be carried in WOS, Bella, Newsnet, Commonspace and any others I've forgotten about. Pluse the SNP, Green, RISE parties themselves, and all their branches. I tried but probably failed with my local branch. They wouldn't believe me.<br /><br />There is no need for "turf" war between Indy supporters in May. Just vote for your favourite party 1, 2 .. then put the others. I've been banging this drum for months now, and I've eaten my drumsticks in dismay.<br /><br />By the way, in 2012 I was taken in by the "vote SNP only" in North Ayrshire. And there were even some saying "Vote for only 1 of the SNP candidates". Oh dear. Wrong.<br /><br />Safely use all our preferences.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com