NationStates Jolt Archive

Only about twelve hours to go till the polling stations open. It looks like the SNP has finally become something of an opposition to Labour, so is it Alex Salmond’s year?

Is the SNP really able to hold a majority, or even minority, government? Is independence only a few years away? Are there only about five Scots on this forum anyway?

Post, or be doomed!

I'm not a Scot, but a poll might be nice.

I’m not a Scot, but a poll might be nice.
Patience!

I don't really know anything about Scottish politics but if the Scots want to break away, they should be free to do so.

For sassanachs and other inferior beings, the Scottish Executive, the devolved parliament sitting in Edinburgh, is being elected tomorrow (Thursday). Thanks to the Additional Member System of voting, we have two votes to cast (waste?), one for our preferred regional member, and one for our preferred constituency member.

I put the poll up as to who gets the first, regional vote, as this tends to be a good indicator of actual voting preference.

In addition, some council seats, such as the ones in my Glasgow ward, are being elected.

I'd never vote for Salmond, purely because he is one of the few politicians who I completely loathe. Although, if I still living in Scotland I wouldn't have my English/Scottish identity crisis and would quite likely support independence more than I do now. With regards to the English elections, I'm probably going to be the person that doesn't vote BNP (if the BBC (http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=2&threadID=6261&edition=1&ttl=20070502212324&#paginator)is any guide) and go for Labour (ugh!) because their candidate is the only one that lives in my town, let alone my ward.

It's the first time I'm ever going to vote, and waste 10 minutes of my life to change nothing. Yay!

I don't really know anything about Scottish politics but if the Scots want to break away, they should be free to do so.
I agree, although Labour may as well give up on ever winning another election ever in the remaining UK.

I agree, although Labour may as well give up on ever winning another election ever in the remaining UK.

Would drawing and quartering Tony Blair help?

I agree, although Labour may as well give up on ever winning another election ever in the remaining UK.

Good. Although I don't know if there are any good replacements...

I’d never vote for Salmond, purely because he is one of the few politicians who I completely loathe. Although, if I still living in Scotland I wouldn’t have my English/Scottish identity crisis and would quite likely support independence more than I do now.
Yeah, Salmond’s a deft rhetorician, and a slippery one at that. He certainly puts on a much better show than McConnell, Stephan or Goldie, but I don’t know if that translates to good governance.

I’ve come round to the idea of indeendence over the last few months; not totally convinced, just not totally dead set against the idea.

It’s the first time I’m ever going to vote, and waste 10 minutes of my life to change nothing. Yay!
Welcome to ‘representative’ democracy!

Well I am an American, so out of those options I would vote a liberal Democrat.

Would drawing and quartering Tony Blair help?
You'd have to go with the entire cabinet. Most people here blame Labour/Immigrants/Scotland (being the previous two)/EU/Human Rights (god forbid we have rights!) for everything from the weather to stubbing their toe. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but there does seem to be a right wing backlash to everything at the moment, driven by the tabloids. It's maddening.

Would drawing and quartering Tony Blair help?
Only if he admitted lying beforehand.

Good. Although I don’t know if there are any good replacements...
Well, maybe not, but I think that’s where the SNP are drawing their support from. I think a lot of Scots have realised that they can get rid of Labour through the SNP, without necessarily gunning for independence.

i like the ssp's campaign commercials that i saw by way of ken macleod
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD-hAuCBDLA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YTRt7hYIu0

Good. Although I don't know if there are any good replacements...
I'm sure there aren't. Now, if Kennedy were Lib Dem leader...

Yeah, Salmond’s a deft rhetorician, and a slippery one at that. He certainly puts on a much better show than McConnell, Stephan or Goldie, but I don’t know if that translates to good governance.
I don't really think so. I mean, if they had the Liberals as a coalition partner they might be able to show them the ropes, but like any government, they'll get get up their own arse and fuck up. Especially if they see themselves as bringing about national liberation or whatever.

I’ve come round to the idea of indeendence over the last few months; not totally convinced, just not totally dead set against the idea.
I don't blame you. Watching the Newsnight/Question Time debates usually between Salmond and Alexander are completely unconvincing. Labour just says 'there'll be a Scottish PM' and the SNP has no argument other than nationalist rhetoric riding on anti-establishment feeling.

Welcome to ‘representative’ democracy!
Aye...

Well, maybe not, but I think that’s where the SNP are drawing their support from. I think a lot of Scots have realised that they can get rid of Labour through the SNP, without necessarily gunning for independence.
My guess it's the same with the BNP, and to an extent, Respect, in England.

i like the ssp’s campaign commercials that i saw by way of ken macleod
I think the socialists have scuppered themselves by splitting the vote between the SSP and Solidarity. I got two leaflets through my door yesterday, one from the SSP, one from Solidarity. Both claimed to be the only party dedicated to the working man.

How do you think Inverness (I think that is correct) will vote?

How do you think Inverness (I think that is correct) will vote?
That is indeed the correct spelling, and IIRC the constituency that Inverness is a part of has gone to the SNP the past couple of elections.

I don’t think it’ll change.

May I ask your interest? Relatives there?

I think the socialists have scuppered themselves by splitting the vote between the SSP and Solidarity. I got two leaflets through my door yesterday, one from the SSP, one from Solidarity. Both claimed to be the only party dedicated to the working man.

well, the only people we hate more than the romans are the fucking judean people's front. splitters!

EDIT: May I ask your interest? Relatives there? EDIT DONE

My grandmother has a holiday home near a lake (loch something) and we got off at the inverness train station and drove there when I went tothe u.k with my family a decade ago.

It is the only scottish town/city I can remember apart from Edinburgh.

well, the only people we hate more than the romans are the fucking judean people’s front. splitters!
Heh, exactly.

Wee Tommy has really got a lot to achieve if he wants to get back into Holyrood.

Interestingly, the Respect/Solidarity coalition offered to join with the Scottish Greens, but the Greens declined. Quite rightly IMO.

Scotland should stay part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain....

'nuff said!

Scotland should stay part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain....

‘nuff said!
So that leaves the big three Unionist parties, and innumerable smaller parties.

Not e nuff said!

The election isn't just a referendum on independence.

Scotland should stay part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland....

'nuff said!
Fixed to be a pedant.

I don’t blame you. Watching the Newsnight/Question Time debates usually between Salmond and Alexander are completely unconvincing. Labour just says ‘there’ll be a Scottish PM’ and the SNP has no argument other than nationalist rhetoric riding on anti-establishment feeling.
They’re also gambling, quite wisely, on the anti-war/anti-Trident vote.

I hope Scotland never leaves the Union. I quite like the Scots.

Hopefully, most people will back away from actually voting for the SNP tomorrow when they realise that there is a chance they might actually win. Salmond thinks he's Blair, on the eve of a historic landslide, but he could easily turn out to be Kinnock yet.

I hope Scotland never leaves the Union. I quite like the Scots.
*looks around nervously*

Well, don’t spread this around, but we actually like you guys as well.

We just keep up the whole racism thing for shits, giggles and tourism.

Hopefully, most people will back away from actually voting for the SNP tomorrow when they realise that there is a chance they might actually win. Salmond thinks he’s Blair, on the eve of a historic landslide, but he could easily turn out to be Kinnock yet.
“We’re alllllllllllllllllriiiiiiiiight!”

Personally, I think there will be an upsurge in votes for smaller parties, with the SNP gaining and Labour losing. The Tories might even gain a wee bit, but the Lib Dems have (again) failed to perform.

I honestly don't know who I'll vote for yet, as all parties have actually managed to seem equally undeserving of my vote. It's quite spectacular really, so I've decided to both draw and vote for BLUEBEARD THE PIRATE and his merry band of swashbucklers. It may count as a wasted vote though.

I support Scottish independence. I frankly cannot wait for the day.

What would happen to the UK if Scotland left?

What would happen to the UK if Scotland left?

Well, it would have to change its name for one thing. :p

What would happen to the UK if Scotland left?

It would no longer be the UK. (Well the initials would probably still be the UK, but its full name would have to change).

So would Wales and England get divorced too?

So would Wales and England get divorced too?

No, that's a totally separate issue. There isn't the same level of nationalistic support in Wales as Scotland, so it's unlikely to come up any time soon.

What would happen to the UK if Scotland left?
A whole bunch of stuff, both politically and economically.

Politically, it would massively increase the call for independence for Wales, as well as open a whole new can of worms in Northern Ireland. Westminster would be shaken up, as a whole bunch of Scottish MPs (who have been instrumental to pushing through difficult Labour policies such as Tuition Fees and Foundation hospitals) would just disappear. If independence happened today, Labours majority would be cut down a peg or two.

The Royal Navy would have to relocate a large amount of its fleet, including its entire nuclear submarine fleet, outside of Scotland, and other institutions would have to move or be amalgamated. There’d also be a lot of redundant institutions and the like.

Economically, there’d be trouble too, as all of the UK’s natural gas and oil reserves are within Scottish waters. The whole Union would look pretty shaky if independence happened, and worked, in Scotland.

Ah, well thanks for answering my questions

So would Wales and England get divorced too?

Yes. And anyone with the last name Evans, Jones or Owen should be deported back to Cardiff forthwith.

Ah, well thanks for answering my questions
No probs.

Incidentally, the flag of the UK would look, weirdly, like this:

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/537/unionjackib8.th.gif

Death to the SNP! May the Union of Scotland, England, Wales and North Ireland sustain for another 300 years!

(Although I'd prefer the United Kingdom to be the Confederate states of Britain)


Oh yes. Also, if independence came about, we'd lose our veto in the UN Security Council.

Oh yes. Also, if independence came about, we'd lose our veto in the UN Security Council.

For all the difference that would make. :p

i still havent figured out who i'm voting for. previous years i've voted on idelogical lines without really considering it further, but this year i want to make sure what the local candidate is proposing is good. having said that, i've probably only got another couple of months in this constituancy so what do i care? might as well just vote ideologically again. wah! decisions! i will decide tomorrow and vote in the poll after i have voted in the real thing.

I support Scottish independence. I frankly cannot wait for the day.

i don't see the point to be honest. and i can't see it happening even if the SNP get voted in. support for it is lower than the previous referendum and the SNP wouldn't be able to go through with it without anther one. i honestly don't think scotland could cope, there hasn't been enough (any) preparation for it.

i don't see the point to be honest. and i can't see it happening even if the SNP get voted in. support for it is lower than the previous referendum and the SNP wouldn't be able to go through with it without anther one. i honestly don't think scotland could cope, there hasn't been enough (any) preparation for it.

I do, it would mean dual carriageway on the A1 north of Alnwick. Probably an extra lane on the western bypass too.

I do, it would mean dual carriageway on the A1 north of Alnwick. Probably an extra lane on the western bypass too.

haha! is that what they're promising you?! i haven't heard any promises from salmond et all for the leith area yet. the only canvassers been around here are labour and lib dems. i doubt i'll vote for them though.

edit: hang on, alnwick's not even in scotland.

I do, it would mean dual carriageway on the A1 north of Alnwick. Probably an extra lane on the western bypass too.

haha! is that what they're promising you?! i haven't heard any promises from salmond et all for the leith area yet. the only canvassers been around here are labour and lib dems. i doubt i'll vote for them though.

edit: hang on, alnwick's not even in scotland.

haha! is that what they're promising you?! i haven't heard any promises from salmond et all for the leith area yet. the only canvassers been around here are labour and lib dems. i doubt i'll vote for them though.

edit: hang on, alnwick's not even in scotland.

If Scotland goes, then they'll finally have to build the dual carriageway. Also, all that money spent propping up the scottish labour vote will go to propping up the NE labour vote.

If Scotland goes, then they'll finally have to build the dual carriageway. Also, all that money spent propping up the scottish labour vote will go to propping up the NE labour vote.

ah, i see. cunning.

i don't see the point to be honest. and i can't see it happening even if the SNP get voted in. support for it is lower than the previous referendum and the SNP wouldn't be able to go through with it without anther one. i honestly don't think scotland could cope, there hasn't been enough (any) preparation for it.

I don't either. As time goes on the U.K will intergrate itself more in the E.U.

If Scotland seceded then it would probably be in as deep into the E.U as the U.K would be.

If they don't the same thing would happen (in terms of being intergrated into the E.U).

having conducted my research i am torn between the SNP (:eek:) and the Greens. i've been entirely unimpressed by the manifesto of the SSP this time round so my revious loyalty to them is faded, their policies seem to me to be woefully unsubstantiated and vague. the SNP have impressed be with their commitment to decentralisation of power and their local income tax alternative for council tax. their policies on law and order are quite a bit too draconian for me however, and they fall behind the Greens and the SSP on that front for me. The Greens impressed me with their policies on the economy and transport but i am very wary of their Land Value Tax as an alternative to council tax, i think it is a bad idea. but then i might be moving away so i don't know if i need to care about that. i am also loath to vote for a nationalist party so that counts against the SNP. but there's still this Land Value Tax of the Greens'. argh! decisions!!

...

eenie meanie mynee mo.

....

no, must do this properly...

actualy, i'm not even sure the Greens have anyone running for my constituency. hmm... maybe vote tactically, in which case the SNP. ach, i guess i'll find out when i get there.

back in a bit, i'm off to cast my vote.

So that leaves the big three Unionist parties, and innumerable smaller parties.

Not e nuff said!

The election isn't just a referendum on independence.

lol well i guess so. I voted labour in the poll, if anything for the fact that they seem so pro-union its unbelievable :D. Also i've been hearing more about them and the support from Westminster than other parties. However any pro-unionist party seems better to me currently than the SNP.

Newer Burmecia- whats happening to the quote now? :P

Scotland get something like 60% of every tax pound from Britain, whilst having a fraction of the population of England.
As an Englishman, i wish the Scots would break away, then we could use our money on ourselves

Scotland get something like 60% of every tax pound from Britain, whilst having a fraction of the population of England.
60%? Methinks not.

And incidentally, Scots, Welshmen and those in Northern Ireland pay tax too.

Daily Mail much?

Scotland get something like 60% of every tax pound from Britain, whilst having a fraction of the population of England.
As an Englishman, i wish the Scots would break away, then we could use our money on ourselves

I highly doubt it is that high, if you look at the amount invested in the south in particularly. However, it is true that a lot of tax goes back into Scotland but then a lot of that tax comes from north sea oil tax. No unionist Scotland=no north sea oil for the UK.

The exact amount Scotland puts in/takes out can be debated, but there are of course more factors involved than just tax here.

I do, it would mean dual carriageway on the A1 north of Alnwick. Probably an extra lane on the western bypass too.
The Torys promised that in 1992, and look at it now. Are youy from that area by any chance?

The Torys promised that in 1992, and look at it now. Are youy from that area by any chance?

Yah, I grew up there, (well north tyneside actually). I still have tonnes of relatives back there.

Actually it's been promised since the seventies according to my mother.

Scotland get something like 60% of every tax pound from Britain, whilst having a fraction of the population of England.
As an Englishman, i wish the Scots would break away, then we could use our money on ourselves
So, you don't like the (exaggerated beyond belief) Barnett Formula, so you want Scotland to leave? A case of curing a headache by cutting off the head, I think.

so i voted green, but there was nobody standign for greens in my constituency so i voted for SNP as well. i think. the voting thing was somewhat confusing.

Well I voted Lib Dem in the regional, Lib Dems in the local, and SSP for the council.

Goldie, the Labour candidate is a scam artist, and the SNP candidate is an absolutely crazy, moronic ponce who has personally aggravated both a close friend of mine and my mother, reinforcing my decision not to vote Labour or SNP.

This was my first ever democratic vote too! Yay!

Anyone interested in hearing the two funny stories about the SNP candidate?

ELECTIONS UPDATE: May 04 10:40

81 of 129 seats declared

Labour: 32 seats; 32 Constituency, 0 Regional, LOSS of 7 seats
SNP: 31 seats; 15 Constituency, 16 Regional, GAIN of 16 seats
Lib Dems: 11 seats; 9 Constituency, 2 Regional, LOSS of 1 seat
Tories: 6 seats; 4 Constituency, 2 Regional, LOSS of 1 seat
Other: 1 seat; 0 Consituency, 1 Regional, LOSS of 7 seats


COUNCIL ELECTIONS UPDATE: May 04 10:45

13 of 32 councils declared

SNP: 131 seats, 0 councils
Labour: 116 seats, 0 councils
Tories: 60 seats, 0 councils
Lib Dems: 57 seats, 0 councils
Other: 75 seats, 2 councils

No Overall Control: 11 councils

Scottish Socialist Party all the way!

I cast my votes last night ... the polling station was really busy mainly because people were asking the officials how they were supposed to mark each ballot paper. A bit confusing for the older folks. I got told off for folding my ballot paper (OMG what a heinous crime). And it was a telling off. I felt so small. But said nothing. I should've smacked him one. Cheeky bleeder.

Voted SNP for the council & Parliament.

I honestly think it is time for Scotland to become an independent country again. Financially it might not do us any favours. But other small countries seem to be able to run their own affairs quite satisfactorily. Why not us ? The mood's changing, especially among younger people.

South Lanarkshire is no longer Labour controlled ! Yay ! For the first time since before WWII my town won't be governed by the socialists. The other news is a bit confused. Many counts abandoned overnight due to technical problems and still 48 counts still to declare. Labour and SNP neck and neck. It'll be an interesting day.

ELECTIONS UPDATE: May 04 14:55

96 of 129 seats declared

Labour: 38 seats; 35 Constituency, 3 Regional, LOSS of 5 seats
SNP: 34 seats; 19 Constituency, 15 Regional, GAIN of 15 seats
Lib Dems: 13 seats; 10 Constituency, 3 Regional, LOSS of 1 seat
Tories: 10 seats; 4 Constituency, 6 Regional
Other: 1 seat; 0 Consituency, 1 Regional, LOSS of 9 seats


COUNCIL ELECTIONS UPDATE: May 04 15:00

18 of 32 councils declared

SNP: 184 seats, 0 councils
Labour: 154 seats, 0 councils
Tories: 83 seats, 0 councils
Lib Dems: 74 seats, 0 councils
Other: 98 seats, 2 councils

No Overall Control: 16 councils

I'll have a Scotch on the rocks, please.

Finally, the votes are in! The breakdown of the seats are as follows:


SNP–47
LAB–46
CON–17
LIB–16
GRN–2
IND–1


The Nats squeezes the smaller parties to pip Labour to the post, making them the largest party in Holyrood. Both Socialist parties are out, with Tommy Sheridan losing his Holyrood seat. The Greens also lose seats, but manage to maintain a couple.

There’ll be a lot of frantic phone calls just now! The big question is will the Lib Dems form a coalition with the SNP?

And could an election be more farcical? Three different systems of voting on one day, and introducing an electronic counting system? Eejits!

As one phone caller to the BBC said, “we’ve made a real hanging chad of this!”

Yay for the SNP

So what happens now ? Who does Queen Elizabeth send for to form a new government ? We're now in uncharted waters ...

Yay for the SNP

So what happens now ? Who does Queen Elizabeth send for to form a new government ? We’re now in uncharted waters ...
Well, not quite. The election of the Nats doesn’t mean Scotland is now independent.

And anyway, a coalition government will need to be formed, and none of the parties who will form a coalition with the SNP want a referendum on independence, never mind independence itself.

I'd vote SNP. Just to royally fuck Gordon Brown over.

I’d vote SNP. Just to royally fuck Gordon Brown over.
I think a lot of Scots did exactly that.

A Salmond-led Scotland will be a nightmare for Brown, especially if he’s also got to deal with Nationalist and Conservative gains in Welsh and English council elections respectively.

We’ll just see what the Lib Dems do in the next couple of days.

I think a lot of Scots did exactly that.

A Salmond-led Scotland will be a nightmare for Brown, especially if he’s also got to deal with Nationalist and Conservative gains in Welsh and English council elections respectively.

We’ll just see what the Lib Dems do in the next couple of days.

Indeed. Would the Scottish conservatives (fuck me they must either all be old, english or stange;) ) make a coaliton with the SNP so as to gain Scottish independance? It would be in the interests of the Conservative party.

Indeed. Would the Scottish conservatives (fuck me they must either all be old, english or stange;) ) make a coaliton with the SNP so as to gain Scottish independance? It would be in the interests of the Conservative party.
Why would it be in the interests of the Tories?

The Scottish Tories labelled themselves as ‘Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party’ on the ballot papers, and have been the party most strongly against independence, so I highly doubt they’ll be interested in a independence-driven coalition. Much more likely you’ll get a SNP-Lib Dem coalition. Possibly incorporating the Independent and Green MSPs.

My guess is a Labour led Tory/Lib Dem coalition. There's nothing to unite the Libs and the SNP and make them work together to form a government, whereas the others are all unionists.

I wonder what I would do if Scotland were to become independent. Since I could no longer be British, would I be English or Scottish?

My guess is a Labour led Tory/Lib Dem coalition. There’s nothing to unite the Libs and the SNP and make them work together to form a government, whereas the others are all unionists.
I seriously doubt that will happen.

The Nats have the biggest party in parliament, so they’re going to have to play some role in government. All the big four parties have put out statements along the lines that the biggest party has the ‘moral majority’ to govern. Whatever your views on this, I think it’ll be nigh-on impossible to create an anti-SNP coalition. The Tories, Lib Dems and Labour won’t be able to sit together comfortably.

I wonder what I would do if Scotland were to become independent. Since I could no longer be British, would I be English or Scottish?
Well, officially, if you were born in Scotland, both parents were Scttish, or had resided in the country for a certain number of years, you would be Scottish.

However, it’s easier to ignore these petty nation-state lines and just consider yourself human.

I seriously doubt that will happen.

The Nats have the biggest party in parliament, so they’re going to have to play some role in government. All the big four parties have put out statements along the lines that the biggest party has the ‘moral majority’ to govern. Whatever your views on this, I think it’ll be nigh-on impossible to create an anti-SNP coalition. The Tories, Lib Dems and Labour won’t be able to sit together comfortably.
I suppose so, but I think the divisions between the Lib Dems and the SNP are too deep at the minute. The SNP wants a referendum on independence. The Liberals don't and both Lib leaders have said so. I can't really see how they would compromise on that. Whereas Labour and the other two don't have that gap - their differences are on policy to which they can find an agreement.

I suppose you probably know better than I though...

Well, officially, if you were born in Scotland, both parents were Scttish, or had resided in the country for a certain number of years, you would be Scottish.

However, it’s easier to ignore these petty nation-state lines and just consider yourself human.
Yeah, English say I'm not English because I'm born in Scotland, most Scottish say I've lived in England too long. Still support Scotland for the footie though.:p

I suppose so, but I think the divisions between the Lib Dems and the SNP are too deep at the minute. The SNP wants a referendum on independence. The Liberals don’t and both Lib leaders have said so. I can’t really see how they would compromise on that. Whereas Labour and the other two don’t have that gap–their differences are on policy to which they can find an agreement.
I suspect there’s some heated discussion going on between the SNP and Lib Dems right now. I agree it’ll be difficult with the prospect of the referendum hanging over the table, but will the Lib Dems really want to give up on government, even if it is only as part of a coalition?

Yeah, English say I’m not English because I’m born in Scotland, most Scottish say I’ve lived in England too long. Still support Scotland for the footie though.:p
Well, that takes some balls!

I suspect there’s some heated discussion going on between the SNP and Lib Dems right now. I agree it’ll be difficult with the prospect of the referendum hanging over the table, but will the Lib Dems really want to give up on government, even if it is only as part of a coalition?
Especially if they would just end up being seen as hanging on to Labour. They might just be able to compromise on more powers being given to Scotland, perhaps full control over tax and funding, perhaps.

Well, that takes some balls!
Nah, just a quick 'piss off' at every half-arsed comment.

Well I'll deal with the formality of bringing NSG the final results:


ELECTIONS UPDATE: May 04 23:55

129 of 129 seats declared

SNP: 47 seats; 21 Constituency, 26 Regional, GAIN of 20 seats
Labour: 46 seats; 37 Constituency, 9 Regional, LOSS of 4 seats
Tories: 17 seats; 4 Constituency, 13 Regional, LOSS of 1 seat
Lib Dems: 16 seats; 11 Constituency, 5 Regional, LOSS of 1 seat
Other: 3 seats; 0 Consituency, 3 Regional, LOSS of 14 seats


COUNCIL ELECTIONS UPDATE: May 04 23:58

30 of 32 councils declared

Labour: 279 seats, 2 councils
SNP: 324 seats, 0 councils
Lib Dems: 140 seats, 0 councils
Tories: 130 seats, 0 councils
SSP: 1 seat, 0 councils
Other: 191 seats, 3 councils

No Overall Control: 25 councils

No probs.

Incidentally, the flag of the UK would look, weirdly, like this:

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/537/unionjackib8.th.gif

Eeh. It looks like the National Front and the Imperial Navy of Japan have had a deformed lovechild.

Ugh. What a horrid flag without the blue.

I'm so confused by all this stuff.
Who's actually governing Scotland right now then ? Most of the councils have no overall control. Neither, apparently, does Parliament. Do we even have a First Minister right now ? Did McConnell lose that overnight ?

There was this really interesting guy on talk radio tonight. Saying that whatever coalition government gets formed that's there now an assured anti-Trident majority in Parliament across SNP, Labour, Libs & the Greens. The military is something that's reserved to Westminster. But that one of the first things the bolshy backbenchers will do is to introduce legislation which will charge the UK government a whopping sum (£millions) each and every time a nuclear warhead is transported by road from England to the submarine base on the Clyde. Because road charging in Scotland is a devolved matter and they can seemingly legislate however they like. The possibilities for this type of parliamentary guerilla warfare seem endless.

Salmond could have a good deck of cards here. Conservatives win next british general election, with another 2 years of an SNP dominated Scots parliament to run ... peeps might just get so pissed off they'll be demanding independence by 2010/11.

But that one of the first things the bolshy backbenchers will do is to introduce legislation which will charge the UK government a whopping sum (£millions) each and every time a nuclear warhead is transported by road from England to the submarine base on the Clyde. Because road charging in Scotland is a devolved matter and they can seemingly legislate however they like. The possibilities for this type of parliamentary guerilla warfare seem endless.

I'm pretty pro-nuclear. But I have to admit that that is a pretty ingenious idea.

As for your question, I don't think Scotland technically has an executive at the moment, no. But then, the civil service is still running, and can continue to run for as long as needs be.

Also, even if Scotland did secede, that wouldn't necessarily mean that what remains of Britain would have to stop being Great Britain. Indeed, as long as Wales is still there we could hardly change the name back to the Kingdom of England.

I agree, although Labour may as well give up on ever winning another election ever in the remaining UK.

sadly though, the Labour/New Labour party is the only party in the UK which isnt worthless. the Tories would ruin everything as per usual if they ever get back in, the Lib Dems have some good ideas, but will never get in (ok, maby a minority- but will have to form a coalition with Labour anyway-... in like 50 years :p), dont even get me started on the BNP, and the other parties are either just regional parties and/or just plain worthless