So...what Happens Now ?

[exile]

_{On the earlier question of whether Nicola would have done better, not sure. I think she would be less divisive and *should* have done better but the way the right wing press reacted to her - most dangerous etc - and the way her offer of 'friendsip' was interpreted with suspicion - like a 'scorpion' - suggests she still would have been demonised.}

_{On the question of what happens next, a lot will depend on whether Labour in London and Scotland think they lost because they were too left wing or too right wing}

Also how will the SNP play their WM hand - questions at prime ministers question time etc and work on committees and whether that is perceived as speaking up for Scotland - and how the media in Scotland covers it

[Orraloon]

Right Davie, when's this EU in/out referendum then ?

I don't think there will be one. There is no need for one now. The UKIP threat failed to materialise and without Farage they are finished.

[Armchair Bob]

and how the media in Scotland covers it

That will be very interesting to see. The press is almost universally unionist, but what if that is not because they are inherently, institutionally biased, but because they just reflect what they think most of their readers and viewers want to hear? The SNP holding 93% of Scottish seats might cause our broadcasters and newspapers to start being a little more balanced.

[Orraloon]

That will be very interesting to see. The press is almost universally unionist, but what if that is not because they are inherently, institutionally biased, but because they just reflect what they think most of their readers and viewers want to hear? The SNP holding 93% of Scottish seats might cause our broadcasters and newspapers to start being a little more balanced.

WTF have you been smoking?

[ShedTA]

When will English politicians understand Scotland and the SNP? | Alex Thomson's View | Alex Thomson's View

[scotlad]

I don't think there will be one. There is no need for one now. The UKIP threat failed to materialise and without Farage they are finished.

True, but he still has right-wingers within his own party to keep sweet.

[AberdeenAngus]

I don't think there will be one. There is no need for one now. The UKIP threat failed to materialise and without Farage they are finished.

I think that it is a definite to happen.

If he tries to block a vote his party will turn on him and he'll be replaced as leader.

[biffer]

Tories hold together for eighteen months before being torn apart by Europe. Huge arguments and a rupture in the party in advance of an EU referendum.

Cameron will publish a Scotland act quickly, backbenchers will rebel for EVEL. To get it through, concessions to SNP. Needs to be control over National insurance and corporation tax (This will also be devolved to NI so easier to get through). It'll also include oil and gas revenue.

Labour will wallow in self recrimination and not achieve any surge. Libs will stand back shouting "told you so" as the Tories lurch further to the right. Cameron stands down after referendum, Boris becomes PM, further lurch to the right, more anti Scottish rhetoric.

Come 2020 lib Dems will recover a bit, labour will still be in the doldrums. UK will have voted to leave EU so SNP will stand on a platform of another referendum, which by this time will be polling at 60%+ yes. Tories will narrowly fail to get a majority, lib Dems will be back to thrity odd seats but will not go into coalition. Boris tries to run a minority government on his usual gambit of bluff and bluster, but many many dodgy back room deals. UK will be in crisis when we leave in 2022.

[Armchair Bob]

WTF have you been smoking?

Sounds crazy but wait and see.. everyone loves a winner.

[ParisInAKilt]

EU referendum will need to happen

[peasoupblu]

rect me wrong but did the referendum not prove that the majority of Scots are unionist, so why would the media not reflect that

That will be very interesting to see. The press is almost universally unionist, but what if that is not because they are inherently, institutionally biased, but because they just reflect what they think most of their readers and viewers want to hear? The SNP holding 93% of Scottish seats might cause our broadcasters and newspapers to start being a little more balanced.

[ParisInAKilt]

rect me wrong but did the referendum not prove that the majority of Scots are unionist, so why would the media not reflect that

Because it's close?

Don't get me wrong the media will still remain pro Union

[Rossy]

rect me wrong but did the referendum not prove that the majority of Scots are unionist, so why would the media not reflect that

46% of the total electorate at the referendum voted No.

Even fewer people supported Unionist parties last night.

How about a Scottish media that reflects what people are actually thinking ?

[Ally Bongo]

rect me wrong but did the referendum not prove that the majority of Scots are unionist, so why would the media not reflect that

Your probably fishing but the answer is a resounding No

A study showed that only 1/3rd of those that voted No did so because of allegiance to the Union

The other 2/3rds voted No purely down to their economic beliefs - they had not been proven that an Independent Scotland would make them better off

[peasoupblu]

Why is it that any examination or questioning is classed fishing.Your stats are interesting but also relies upon how you define unionist.

[thplinth]

Five years of being in position A is what happens now. Don't with it, don't change it, just enjoy it and let the others destroy themselves.

[DoonTheSlope]

I'm not the sharpest when it comes to the ins and outs. Could someone explain how much influence we will have in making decisions from now on.

Take for example Trident, if the SNP say in parliament that we don't want it up here how easily will it be to get rid off it??

Kind Regards, A. Numpty

Edited May 8, 2015 by DoonTheSlope

[Ally Bongo]

Why is it that any examination or questioning is classed fishing.Your stats are interesting but also relies upon how you define unionist.

Because it's been 7 months since the referendum and there has been numerous reports & studies of who voted No and why.

The most recent was in repsonse to the proposed tactical voting to keep out the SNP

The report stated that the Unionist parties were misreading the No voters data which led them to believe if they could muster the 55% that voted No to group round one Unionist party because of Unionist values they could defeat the SNP in several seats.

You will have heard Ruth Davidson constantly saying a vote for her party was a vote for the Union whereas Labour and the Lib Dems repeatedly brought up the second referendum line thinking as 55% were "Unionists" they wouldnt want that

The report quoted my stats above and tried to explain that as 2/3rds of No voters had no allegiance to the Union these tactics were likely to fail ...which was proven last night apart from in Edinburgh South where the Tories clearly voted for Ian Murray.

The 55% had in fact only temporarliy supported the Union for financial reasons and not that they were against Independence 100%

.

[Scunnered]

I'm not the sharpest when it comes to the ins and outs. Could someone explain how much influence we will have in making decisions from now on.

Take for example Trident, if the SNP say in parliament that we don't want it up here how easily will it be to get rid off it??

Kind Regards, A. Numpty

There will be very little to no influence from the opposition in a majority parliament. Best they can do is make things difficult for the conservatives in the eyes of the public.

[DoonTheSlope]

There will be very little to no influence from the opposition in a majority parliament. Best they can do is make things difficult for the conservatives in the eyes of the public.

Auch lol. Baby steps though. Or giant steps with last nights number!!

Edited May 8, 2015 by DoonTheSlope

[thplinth]

8 months ago we were knocked out. spark out. So to be here now with this result is incredible. I can barely believe it myself. What a result.

The tories have an absolute majority, we are all now spectators in the glorious union.

[Auld_Reekie]

I'm not the sharpest when it comes to the ins and outs. Could someone explain how much influence we will have in making decisions from now on.

Take for example Trident, if the SNP say in parliament that we don't want it up here how easily will it be to get rid off it??

Kind Regards, A. Numpty

No influence. Three things they can do though:

1. Make a nuisance of themselves. SNP are going to get far greater prominence in committees, question time, debates etc and it's up to them to get digging, educate themselves, be a thorn in the side of the Tories and expose their policies for what they are. Essentially: be seen to be fighting Scotland's corner and getting wired into the Tories.

2. Work on a policy platform and make the Tories say No. And make them say No often. Trident. DevoMax. Federalism. PR. Ending austerity. Devolution of VAT. Devolution of oil revenues. Devolution of universal credit. Devolution of anything and everything. Be seen to ask, and make sure the Tories are seen to say No. Even better if you can corner the Labour Party too and have them say No to stuff like Proportional Representation. And make them say it publically. Where previously Angus Robertson would do some good digging on the MOD, there is now 56 SNP MPs and they should be all over Westminster like a rash.

3. Be Seen and Be Heard. The media, Labour, the Tories, the wider UK establishment have painted the SNP as foaming mouth bigots who would eat yer bairns. There's a LOT of very good SNP MPs on their way to Westminster and it's important the general public, especially the Scottish public see them and hear them. Be articulate. Be principled. Be professional. Before long, people will realise that what they've been told of the SNP is a big f***ing lie.

They might have no actual influence on policy but there is a tonne of work for them to do. They have 5 years to maximise the benefits of having a first class team of MPs. This opportunity might not come around again so it's important they take advantage of the elevated profile and access while they can. They do their job well and they could be last MPs we send to Westminster.

[fringo]

Your probably fishing but the answer is a resounding No

A study showed that only 1/3rd of those that voted No did so because of allegiance to the Union

The other 2/3rds voted No purely down to their economic beliefs - they had not been proven that an Independent Scotland would make them better off

I know quite a few like that, who under better current economic conditions may have voted Yes.

[andymac]

I'm not the sharpest when it comes to the ins and outs. Could someone explain how much influence we will have in making decisions from now on.

Take for example Trident, if the SNP say in parliament that we don't want it up here how easily will it be to get rid off it??

Kind Regards, A. Numpty

No chance. It was a Westminster election. The Tories have a majority, what they want happens.

[perthTam]

No influence. Three things they can do though:

1. Make a nuisance of themselves. SNP are going to get far greater prominence in committees, question time, debates etc and it's up to them to get digging, educate themselves, be a thorn in the side of the Tories and expose their policies for what they are. Essentially: be seen to be fighting Scotland's corner and getting wired into the Tories.

2. Work on a policy platform and make the Tories say No. And make them say No often. Trident. DevoMax. Federalism. PR. Ending austerity. Devolution of VAT. Devolution of oil revenues. Devolution of universal credit. Devolution of anything and everything. Be seen to ask, and make sure the Tories are seen to say No. Even better if you can corner the Labour Party too and have them say No to stuff like Proportional Representation. And make them say it publically. Where previously Angus Robertson would do some good digging on the MOD, there is now 56 SNP MPs and they should be all over Westminster like a rash.

3. Be Seen and Be Heard. The media, Labour, the Tories, the wider UK establishment have painted the SNP as foaming mouth bigots who would eat yer bairns. There's a LOT of very good SNP MPs on their way to Westminster and it's important the general public, especially the Scottish public see them and hear them. Be articulate. Be principled. Be professional. Before long, people will realise that what they've been told of the SNP is a big f***ing lie.

They might have no actual influence on policy but there is a tonne of work for them to do. They have 5 years to maximise the benefits of having a first class team of MPs. This opportunity might not come around again so it's important they take advantage of the elevated profile and access while they can. They do their job well and they could be last MPs we send to Westminster.

I hope they dig about in committees and westminster to find some ammunition for the next indy referendum.