What can I say other than breathtaking, marvellous, wonderful, superb, braw. Congratulations to the SNP. A very well deserved victory.
I'd like to offer my thanks to those lovely folk who joined me through the night in the live chat. We saw history being made and you all were great company. Do hope you can catch up on your sleep.
Thanks too to ASE for all his help, without which I wouldn't have survived.
Now it's back to business for our Parliament. There's so much to do.
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57 comments:
Was our pleasure Subrosa. Junior just put his head down so maybe I can grab forty winks now too!
Can't believe the latest projections of a 68 seat majority for the SNP...
As you rightly say though the real work starts now. How to square the circle and deliver on all these promises in the face of a reduction in pocket money? I'm encouraged by the emerging consensus that the Scotland Bill will need to be re-examined and increased powers given for Scotland.
Ultimately this is why I believe in independence - we have underperformed as a country for a long time under the current system, just give us the tools to at least have a chance to improve our lot. If we manage to do so great, if we don't it will be our own fault. What could be fairer than that?
Sorry I couldn't join you. Sorry also to see that Newsnet Scotland is down this morning. Even more sorry to be listening to Call Kaye this morning which is nothing other than a Labour party love-in. No evidence of even handed journalism at all. Her show today is a scandalous use of taxpayers money.
Well done the SNP. Well done everyone who voted for them. Let's get on and make Scotland better together.
Now lets hope Scotland now goes for full independence. Not because I have any objection to Scotland being part of the UK, but because I object to Scottish MPs voting at Westminster against things for England which their own parliament has approved in Scotland. I think many English will be pleased with the results because it may force parliamentarians to address the issue at long last.
Well done the SNP, hopefully they'll find the strength to go it alone now.
Well done Rosie on the blog and well done the SNP. Now, get on with it!
Bleary eyed but over the moon today! How can it get better? If we take NE Fife would be good.
An English Parliament is now a crying need. There are Scottish seats at Westminster filled by Labour members sitting for areas of Scotland that have just elected SNP representatives to their own, Scottish Parliament. And these Westminster Labour MPs, cut adrift by their own electorates, are voting on matters that affect only the English even as the Scottish Parliament seeks ever-greater powers over Scotland.
Scotland has voted overwhelmingly not to be governed from London. Only the UK Labour party has any interest in the Scottish hulks washing around Westminster. There needs to be an urgent Speaker's constitutional conference called to reconstruct the federal relations between the UK's constituent countries - and Mr Salmond's comments that there are no longer Labour heartlands in Scotland, but Scottish heartlands, given the attention their importance deserves, not just for Scotland and its politics but for all of us.
My decision to have a dram every time we won a seat turned out to be a very bad idea!
I'm delighted for those of you up there who want more independence.
I have to say that for some of us down here there are some mixed feelings, like paying for stuff like university fees and prescriptions which currently we indirectly subsidise but get no benefit from - indeed are the only EU country excluded from in the case of fees! And as for scottish MPs voting on English matters, even determining the PM by swinging the Westminster majority, that MUST stop too.
However, if you move towards greater independence it will make the pressure for an English parliament far greater, which has to be a good thing for us.
What a fun evening , thankyou for hosting it Rosa.
I see Jeremy Purvis did lose to Christine Graham after I went to bed as well.
For the first time in years I feel a little hopeful about the future.
Hatfield Girl and Woodsy, do a bit of research. You'll find the Scottish and UK parliaments elect different people. You'll also find Westminster is NOT the English Parliament which is why MPs from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are permitted to vote there. You'll also find that MPs from outwith England cannot be banned from voting in the Commons because, sorry to keep labouring the point, they've been ELECTED to the UK parliament.
Finally I mean English people no disrespect but it is really quite disconcerting that so few of you actually understand how the Commons works and that you actually believe you can say things like certain MPs voting there "has to stop". It cannot stop under the current constitution because it would be illegal to ban certain Members from voting! Instead of whining why don't you campaign properly for English independence. But please, do the research first, and at least be aware that you don't already have an English parliament no matter how deeply and passionately you view "England" as the UK.
"However, if you move towards greater independence it will make the pressure for an English parliament far greater, which has to be a good thing for us."
Woodsy, typical. You imply you're upset about the whole set up yet you can't even get off your lazy backsides and do it yourselves? If you want it so much get out there and work for English independence. If you can't do that don't whimper that its not fair!
Must confess t’ havin a bit of a sare heed the day (can sympathise somewhat with oldnat) – but it was worth every momentous minute every glorious result.
The real work starts now – good luck Alex.
I just surfaced and downed a pint of orange juice in one...
Next stop Referendum!
I don't think many people in Scotland would upset if Scottish MPs didn't vote on English issues. I think a lot of people up here are mores surprised by the fact that English people living in England haven't been demanding an English parliament.
Proper powers and a fair share of the oil and gas revenues which the Scot Government could set at a rate which would help continuing development and exploration. If we get those we are well on the way.
We still need to address our political system. Our current voting doesn't seem to entirely reflect the advantage that getting the most votes provides. A bit of tuning maybe.
Historic day tho. Well done us. At last!!!!
Petem, I agree. My personal view is that Scottish constituency(and Welsh and NI) MPs should abstain on English matters. But that is entirely different from English people claiming they can be banned. Because constitutionally they are elected to a UK parliament and they simply cannot be banned from voting. That's the main point I'm making.
The other point is of course that it is increasingly irritating listening to some English complaining only about "Scots" while failing to recognise that Members from Wales and NI do exactly the same thing. They focus only on Scots. They also seem completely incapable of working to get England independent. Why is that do you think?
Historic - no doubt about it.
Now we have to leave the hysterics of the pundits in their wallows of denial behind and get on with the real work.
The Unionist parties have paid some of the price for the negativity they inflicted on Scotland, but, until they re-establish their ideologies and cut from Westminster they've lost all legitimate claim to a mandate in Scotland. Only then will they be able to claim they have a voice in Scotland.
A great night and a great responsibility now rest with the SNP. The people have bankrolled them, it's now up to them to see the people profit from the dividends.
Sorry to have absented myslef. My internet went down!!
Great result.
We're nearly there FL and do hope you're not too weary today. Excitement will keep us awake. :)
Westminster will have to pay attention now. At long last.
I'd like to see our education overhauled quickly as I don't think we're giving our children a high enough standard of education. But that's a story for another day.
It was good fun carrew. NNS was down for a while last night too. I didn't listen to the luv-in this morning. Was trying to catch some sleep.
Yes we need to work together but will Labour change?
Good point EP and of course I do hope the Scots begin to realise just what we could do if we had the courage to do it.
I hope so too QM, but Westminster will put up a hard fight to keep us.
Thanks Dram, yes there's a lot to do.
It can get better Munguin. We need to reshape Scotland to make it a fair place for everyone and grab back our reputation of a country with a high standard of education.
I'd agree with you HG.
Oldnat, it's a wonder you're still breathing!
Auch Woodsy, why do you think you're paying? It's a bit like my housekeeping budget. I have a fixed sum and how I spend it is my business. If I provide better for my family than the neighbours across the road, it's no fault of mine.
Sandy, thanks so much for joining us. Yes, not long after you did. I'm pleased for her. My only disappointment is Derek Brownlee losing. Yes I know he's a tory but he was a middle of the road one. Shame.
Thanks Jo. I'm too tired to respond in detail this afternoon.
The SNP have just reached a majority. Woohoo. That must put pressure on Westminster now.
Not another one having a tipple to toast every win JRB. I admit I poured a little 12 year old Glenlivet after the first few declarations, but one glass was enough.
Yes, he'll need plenty of luck - and wisdom.
Petem, SNP MPs have never voted on English only issues. Labour have used their Scottish MPs to keep them afloat in recent years.
I never thought I'd live to see the day petem.
Well said Crinkly.
Auch Tris, you were missed. You're up and running now though and they've made a majority in the past few minutes.
The Unionists still don't get it. They have a Scotland Bill going through Westminster. They can use it to give us Devo Max - or take the consequences.
No, they don't get it oldnat, but they will - one way or another - eventually.
Cameron has said he will fight independence for Scotland "with every fibre...." blah blah. There you go. If Scotland is such a drain now why would he feel that way do you think?
Hi SR, Happy days ! From some comments it seems people do not understand that with devolution we now have a quasi federal system, every member of the UK parliament has a right to vote on all matters, the SNP only votes on matters affecting Scotland, they have the right to abstain from voting on English only matters which is currently what the SNP does.
That is as I understand it.
I think the word is gobsmacked. I expected a good day for the SNP (and Scotland) but the extent of your victory leaves me absolutely gobsmacked.
Congratulations seems a weak word in this case.
Noo, ah wonder whit William MacGonagall wid think o it?
The Libdem's vote, a mighty slump
deaf tae their patter oan the stump
Tuition fees oor chokin lump.
So we lift oor kilts an bare oor rump.
...and gie then all an Ecky Thump.
Labour's gravy train has hit a bump
and left them with a leaky sump,
wae us indifferent tae their grump.
So we lift oor kilts and bare oor rump
...and gie them all an Ecky Thump.
The Tories wae usual running jump,
their fatted calf looks non too plump.
We want fresh steak, not tired chump.
So we lift oor kilts and bare oor rump
...and gie them all an Ecky Thump.
.
Prof Tom Devine on the difficulty of rebuilding Labour. "The biggest problem is the intellectual chasm" within it.
stunned by the victory , Alex Salmonds speech is a signof things to come
thanks for the chatroom last night it along with the STV was the best source of info last night
Simonp
Congratulations, Subrosa. Have a smashing party this weekend and then start the Big Push.
I do hope that when you go for independence you go the whole hog; don't hang on to EU membership but move to another grouping such as EFTA.
If you don't, you'll still be lumbered with the bills run up by Ireland etc and have your hands tied by European legislation which hollows-out the real meaning of independence.
For now... Party On!
Exactly Jo. You'd think he'd be over the moon because finally he'd be able to get rid of us.
That's how I understand it too Apogee.
Jeanne, congratulations is good. Thank you.
Wonderful wisnaeme. My gratitude.
Oldnat, that must be the quote of the day. It's not going to improve my the sound of it.
Hi Simon, I hope you got a little sleep. Aye it's some victory. After me complaining about him hiring Prestonfield House, I know think he deserved to plop out of a helicopter there. :)
Thank you WoaR. I think I'll have to pace myself slightly.
That's my thinking but presently the SNP think big EU is good. There's time for debate though and if I keep moaning who knows? As if my opinion matters. :)
"You'll also find that MPs from outwith England cannot be banned from voting in the Commons because, sorry to keep labouring the point, they've been ELECTED to the UK parliament. "
Yes, Jo G. Please don't patronise me and treat me like a fool, I know perfectly well how it's set up and that the Scottish parliament is separate and MSPs are different to Uk MPs.
The point is that that you have a Scottish chamber to discuss Scottish affairs. You can vote for it without any interference from me, which is great for you. But we haven't got a separate English chamber that can discuss English affairs. Our only 'parliament' is loaded with members from the other parts of the UK.
If the Scots go for independence it will reinforce the need for a separate English parliament or assembly.
And FYI I do occasionally get off my arse and try and get things done.
"Auch Woodsy, why do you think you're paying?"
My understanding is that spending per head in Scotland from UK taxation is slighly higher than in England. I may be wrong, if so I'm sorry.
I'm also not getting into assumptions that things like oil revenues via Terminals in Scotland should be Scotland's, it gets too complicated.
Woodsy, the point is you don't have an English Parliament and business is done in the Commons via full votes where all MPs have full voting rights. That's the point. The point is that if you want the same status as the other countries then you need to do as we did and campaign for it. Then England will be the same as the rest of us. What you should not do, and I still think you did this earlier, is imply you can turn the UK parliament into an English one without doing anything at all and start banning certain MPs from Commons votes.
"If the Scots go for independence it will reinforce the need for a separate English parliament or assembly."
Do you realise you just proved my earlier argument? You're going to wait for the Scots to do all the work while meanwhile moaning about the unfairness of the current set up to the English. What's wrong with the English going for independence in their own right now?
You're right Woodsy it's slightly higher and that was imposed by Westminster in their desperation to appease the Scots once oil had been found.
The excuse was - and it is true - that a nation with a geographical spread such as Scotland is far more expensive to 'run' than the likes of England.
Although you don't want to get into oil revenues etc the Scottish government will have to - before any referendum is called. The people need to know the facts.
Subrosa, I'm sure there is a report somewhere that established the highest spend per head in the UK is in London and Northern Ireland.
Jo, there's plenty on the internet, but unionists don't want to read it. They prefer their long-term mantra.
"Do you realise you just proved my earlier argument?...What's wrong with the English going for independence in their own right now?"
Nothing, just persuade our politicians!
No I don't necessarily want to turn Westminster into an English Parliament. We need a UK forum AND an English parliament/assembly, of English reps for English business. Which bit takes over Westminster would perhaps depend on the ratio of UK to 'regional' business.
The present situation is however unsustainable - it's like a couple having a row and just one partner living separately.
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