Tuesday 9 June 2009

Let's Caw Canny



It's seldom I agree with David Maddox of the Scotsman and his article today gives me no cause to think differently.

'The SNP is on course to become the largest party in Scotland in the next general election, taking almost half the seats if the European result was repeated' he writes. His qualifying last words are the crux for me because I know the voting at any general election differs greatly from European elections. Many people vote at general elections out of belief in a particular candidate rather than a party but the opposite happens at European elections. Also, for some reason, I feel that some vote at Euro elections in a more light-hearted manner than they would for a general election. Is it because Europe seems distant or perhaps less important than Westminster? I don't know.

What I do know is that the SNP did well last Thursday and should be congratulated, but they cannot transfer the Euro vote to a general election and take the result seriously. There is a year until the general election because Gordon Brown will hold out until the last minute and David Cameron isn't making much impression throughout the UK. Labour, although their leader is disliked by the majority of the electorate, may become the worse of two evils in the eyes of many unionists and, if Jeff's assessment is accurate, could surprise many.

The Euro results did reassure me that many in Scotland are happy with the SNP government and that bodes well for the Scottish Parliament elections in 2011. If they can get SFT up and running that would make a great difference and by then the education initiatives introduced during the past two years ought to be showing results.

So let's caw canny and keep a level heid. Maddox's headline "SNP set to defeat Scottish Labour at next poll' may sound admirable, but polls are only teasers and those who fight for independence know to take them with a pinch of salt.

19 comments:

Great Big Billygoat Gruff said...

Davis Maddox

Psy-ops for the Unionists

Beware

subrosa said...

I will Billy, I will. Thanks.

Cate Munro said...

Gr8 post Sb. The SNP did blinding - which I is great news. Unfortunately you're right - Euro elections don't provide a true benchmark of how people will vote in the G.E.
Cameron needs to start getting tough over the next 12 months. Otherwise, we might just see one of the biggest turn arounds in British political history . . .(and I will definitely emigrate!) ;-)

subrosa said...

You're right TP, Cameron has to start showing he's going to stop this labour social engineering and the intrusion on our privacy just for a start.

The SNP must not regard the Euros as the beginning of a big surge in support, they've got to keep chipping away as they always do. It's the postal votes at a GE which worry me most and labour's skill at fraud with them. No matter how much evidence those in control receive, nothing is done.

Oldrightie said...

The EU election shares were the first time we could "have a go" at Jimmy and his band of thieving crooks. Check out tomorrow's telegraph again. I suspect the share was pretty accurate and UKIPs will go mostly Tory just to dump Snotty and Labour. Ergo their shar will be at least in the mid-forties!

subrosa said...

I suspect you're right OR, but really Dave has to sharpen up a bit. Wonder what noon tomorrow will bring?

wisnaeme said...

Ah take any scribblings by yon Brit Nat, Union shirt tail lifter, Maddox with mair than a puckle of incredulity.

Nuff said.

Nice photo of ra Saltire, though.

Ah've mind tae lift it, if naebody minds.

.

Anonymous said...

The fact the SNP beat Labour in another election is the main result.

The june 2nd oppion poll was almost spot on. I think what we can take from this is that it shows the SNP vote holding up after 2 years in Gov..

MekQuarrie said...

I don't think any serious Nat is counting on these particular chickens hatching. But any national poll (real people, real votes) where the SNP win gives credibility and normality to those who thought twice about voting SNP this time. Next time, they can vote for the winning side...

subrosa said...

I agree it's holding up Spook and at mid term that excellent, but comparing the Euro votes with a GE and taking the result seriously is a bit too OTT for me.

subrosa said...

I very much hope so Mek but there's a long way to go. I'm not trying to be a killjoy here, just suggesting not to get too excited as some appear to be.

subrosa said...

Take anything you like Tom, you're very welcome.

naldo said...

All these SNP peeps wanting Cameron to win are fair freaking me out. He's a Tory - they're inherently evil, not just incompetent like the current lot running Westminster.

Anyway, what i really wanted to say is that the Euro elections were a massive breakthrough for the SNP - a resounding defeat of Labour. Hopefully that'll put to bed the myths that Scots will always vote Labour and a Tory government down there would be good for independence up here.

It's not only SNP supporters who back independence. Some progressive types do too.

MekQuarrie said...

Ouch, naldo! Are you saying SNP supporters are not progressive..?

subrosa said...

You've taken the words out of my mouth Mek!

Naldo, so the tories are evil and labour incompetent. Personally I don't think you can put a fag paper between them but I do know they both tell lies, lies and more damned lies.

McGonagall said...

What's Maddox playing at? Has he smelt the wind of change at last?

subrosa said...

I wouldn't say so scunnert. IMO it's just a case of 'build you up, knock you down.' That's why I'm advising not to get too excited about the share of the vote for the Euros.

naldo said...

Mek, yeah i kinda was saying that. But only cos i knew it's not really true.

Still cannae get ma heid roond you lot wanting a Tory govt doon sooth though. That wish will bite yiz on the bum (is bum okay on this blog? - sorry if not).

By the way, do you lot ever sleep? Good effort likesay.

subrosa said...

Aye naldo bum's ok on this blog. Lots of other words are too so don't feel you can't express yourself!

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