More politics

[andrewducker]

Lib Dems turn down a coalition. And nobody will dare share power with the Conservatives.

So it's a minority SNP government for the next few years. And we won't get a referendum. Which is a shame, because the answer would be a solid "No." and then we could get on with our lives.

Comments

[kelly-lesbo.livejournal.com]

I'm a member of the Liberal Democrat party. Before I left to live in America they asked me if I'd be interested in running as a councilor.

So as a representative I'd like to apologize for this lack of vision. Since Menzes Campbell took the reins things have been on the slide. Once the party had a bit of success at the general election they took a sharp turn into the mainstream and I have the horrible feeling that they are just turning into another head on the political hydra.

I think I'm realizing more and more that politics is just a WWE show to keep the sheeple happy.

baaaaaah

[andrewducker]

Oh, they're probably right to go it alone. Gives them much more flexibility than last time, when they were forced to go along with Labour all the time because of the coalition.

[ninox.livejournal.com]

A solid 'no' huh - you need to get out with the populas at large. I know many a small working class village that think it is a superb idea *cringe*

[andrewducker]

Emphasis on the "small".

The poll results on the way up to the election showed 25-30% support for independence, largely outside of the cities.

[ninox.livejournal.com]

Doesn't surprise.

Saying that I have only been keeping half an eye on the Scottish election fiasco.

[azalemeth.livejournal.com]

I'd imagine they're certainly familiar with being in opposition...

Incidentally, I too have been asked to stand as a local councillor. Due to the fact that I'm far too a) young b) incompetent c) busy to be one, I refused. They asked again. I refused again...

The difference between Ming Campbell, and the other members of the party I have met is huge. Chris Huhne in particular was quite the motivational speaker, reminded me of an economics professor giving an animated, informative lecture, and spectacularly lost the vote. I can't wait until Ming is creamed at the next election and can be replaced....

Referendum

[wordofblake.livejournal.com]

I really do not get the point of ruling out a referendum. It is basically the same as saying you do not believe in democracy.

(Which is, of course, the case)

If you want independence and expect people to vote for it, you should want a referendum,
If you don't want independence and expect people to vote against it, you should want a referendum.

The only reason not to want a referendum is to assume it will be successful where you want it to fail!

I may change my vote next time because of this

Re: Referendum

[andrewducker]

I tend to agree, in some ways. They shouldn't have made that statement in the first place.

Sadly, having now done so, and been elected on that manifesto, they can't back down without betraying people to whom it was important.

Re: Referendum

[loveandgarbage.livejournal.com]

The wording of the question is in the hands of the government though. Pollsters know that you can tailor the question to get the response you desire. Accordingly referenda are used by parties to endorse policies they wish to promote.

The arithmetic was that voters could vote for pro-independence parties (SNP/Green/SSP/Solidarity) or pro-Unionist parties (labour/COnservative/Lib Dem). The former obtained around 35 to 40% of the vote, the latter around 60% of the vote. There is no mandate for independence from the electorate, and no mandate for a referendum from the electorate.

Re: Referendum

[wordofblake.livejournal.com]

Still, if you want to pretend to believe in democracy you have to allow a referendum. If the people vote for something you do not want or against something you do then that just shows you are out of touch with their feelings!

I honestly have no idea how a referendum on independence would go, but I still think the Scottish people deserve one.

Re: Referendum

[0olong.livejournal.com]

There is also the issue that referendums are generally hugely expensive and time-consuming.

Still seems pretty stupid to rule it out, but that is in many cases quite a good reason for not having one - particularly when polls are pretty unequivocal about a large majority of people being decided one way or the other (and particularly when that majority favours the status quo).

I'm inclined to see the whole referendum issue as a massive red herring, really...

Re: Referendum

[wordofblake.livejournal.com]

It could wll be a Red Herring, but I still think it is more than a little odd to rule it out. If there is no mandate for independence then a referendum will show that and legitimise a continued union.

Yes, it would cost money to run, but if they think it will go their way why oppose it. If it is so likely to go against what the SNP want then why are they so keen on it?

I think that both sides probably feel there would be a low pro-union turnout due to complacency, and a high pro-independence turnout due to the more passionate mature of that stance.

The expectation of a vote in favour of independence is the only thing that makes sense of both sides' views to me.

Re: Referendum

[khbrown.livejournal.com]

Expensive and time-consuming - couldn't the same thing be said about many of the elements of democracy, like elections??

Not that this is an argument against democracy, as I still prefer it to the alternatives.

Re: Referendum

[0olong.livejournal.com]

Well, yes. This is one reason we only have elections every few years. Of course it's also an argument for coming up with more efficient ways of running elections, and/or trying to think of whole different ways of administering democracy...