Topic:	SNP
Abieuan Posts: 271 Posted: 5.Jan 2006 - 22:37	http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/53716.html QuoteRobbie Dinwoodie, The Herald, 5 January 2006 Alex Salmond has opened negotiations with the Greens over a possible future coalition with the Scottish National Party at Holyrood. The Herald understands that a high-level meeting was held before Christmas between the SNP and the Greens with a view to examining policy issues ahead of the next election and possible coalition of "the thistle and the sunflower" thereafter. It is believed that, on the back of a series of Holyrood votes where it was clear there was a degree of consensus, senior strategists from both parties agreed to get together. The result was a meeting between Mr Salmond, the SNP leader, Bruce Crawford, the party's Holyrood business convener, and a delegation from the Scottish Greens involving two MSPs who are seen as senior party strategists, Mark Ballard and Patrick Harvie. A senior SNP source said: "It is clearly in both parties' interests to look at current political opportunities and at options that may exist after 2007. "We both agree that the executive parties are failing Scotland, so there is plenty to talk about. "Alex intends becoming the next first minister and will do that as leader of the largest party in the Scottish Parliament. If we are serious about forming the government of Scotland then these are the kind of discussions that have to take place." A spokesman for the Scottish Greens confirmed that the meeting took place in the run-up to Christmas. Shiona Baird, the party's co-convener, described the discussions as "informal at this stage". Ms Baird, who leads the party jointly with Robin Harper, the original breakthrough MSP, said: "The Greens are increasingly being recognised as a fixture in the Scottish political landscape, and respected for our ability to win cross-party support for our campaigns in the Scottish Parliament. We can expect to make gains at the 2007 election." There are tensions between the Nationalist and Green blocs, not least over issues such as transport infrastructure and the need to be seen as having a pro-business agenda. But the two parties are close on a number of key issues, such as Holyrood's powers, nuclear power, private finance and asylum and rendition. Labour won 50 seats at the last Holyrood election, compared with the SNP's 27, but Mr Salmond has set a target of winning a swing of more than 8%, which would bring about 20 additional constituency seats and make his the largest single party. Achieving close to or more than 50 seats would leave the SNP looking for the additional 15 or so seats through coalition which would allow it to form a government. The Greens currently have seven seats, while the Socialists have six, and there were four independent or single issue candidates elected. The LibDems won 17 and the Tories 18. The talks revealed by The Herald today indicate the first time in the UK that a move has been made by an established party to involve the Greens in potential coalition negotiations. Well i remember Plaid Cymru/Green candidates standing in the '90s, and of course the recent MK/Green alliance, but i suppose this is different as these are already elected members. I don't think it will make much difference with the Greens only having seven MSPs and i have doubts as to whether they will have even that after the next election. The Scottish Socialist Party also support independence and may retain their six seats.
Ailean Posts: 1 Posted: 7.Jan 2006 - 18:51	As a member of the SNP, I think it makes sense to be holding talks with other political parties, especially Independently minded ones, over possible coalitions. It shows some foresight and planning to the electorate that if the SNP end up as the largest single party, we have put some thought and planning into what to do next. From a personal point of view I expect the SNP vote and share of the seats to increase considerably, though maybe not quite enough to beat labour. If anything I expect the Greens share of seats to remain pretty much as it is at the moment, and the SSP to decrease drastically. Also a coalition does not have to involve only two parties, though it would make things simpler.
GolowDydh Posts: 392 Posted: 7.Jan 2006 - 19:35	Quote In the 2005 Westminster elections, MK did not contest the St Ives constituency to make room for the Green Party candidate. In return, the Greens did not stand against MK in any of the other four Cornish constituencies. There was a problem with this, in that a proportion of Green voters seemed blissfully unaware, hence a large proportion of spoiled papers were those with Green written on them.
porthia1947 Posts: 694 Posted: 7.Jan 2006 - 19:56	Yes and also I can imagine being green doesn't often mean having a social conscience. No matter how liberal people think they themselves are, sometimes when it comes to their own interests/self interest, it's the latter that takes precedence. I would assume Scotland has more home grown 'Green' activists so might work better in that country. Hope it works well anyway.
Abieuan Posts: 271 Posted: 7.Jan 2006 - 20:59	FÃ ilte Ailean. QuoteI think it makes sense to be holding talks with other political parties, especially Independently minded ones, over possible coalitions. Absolutely, with proportional representation i don't think any party will ever be able to govern without coalition. I totaly welcome these talks, but i don't think the Greens will be enough to give us a majority, especially if the LibDems keep supporting Labour, they may hold the balance of power. GolowDydh wrote: QuoteQuote: In the 2005 Westminster elections, MK did not contest the St Ives constituency to make room for the Green Party candidate. In return, the Greens did not stand against MK in any of the other four Cornish constituencies. There was a problem with this, in that a proportion of Green voters seemed blissfully unaware, hence a large proportion of spoiled papers were those with Green written on them. Perhaps some were not unaware. Nationalism has many different forms, and means different things to different people. Perhaps some Green voters do not like nationalism generaly, and do not understand it. The PR voting system is quite complicated, there being normal seats and also list MSPs. The Greens will never win any seats but their MSPs will come from the lists. Electors will recieve one ballot paper for the constituency seat and one for the list in their area. There will be both SNP and Green candidates ( and all the others ) on the list ballot paper so people will vote for who they wish. pothia, QuoteI would assume Scotland has more home grown 'Green' activists The Greens don't have that many activists, and many of them come from SE England looking for a greener life.
morgarrow Posts: 339 Posted: 7.Jan 2006 - 23:19	Quote ............many of them come from SE England looking for a greener life. Same as here then maybe.
porthia1947 Posts: 694 Posted: 23.Feb 2006 - 22:55	QuoteWhitehall knew in the 1970s that Scots could have been nearly one-third better-off than the English within a few years of splitting from the UK, although the knowledge was kept from the public. The 1970s documents warned that if devolution increased calls for Independence, the loss of oil income might leave the UK virtually bankrupt. The documents are highlighted in the BBC Radio Four series Document. Prominent Scottish National Party supporter Sir Sean Connery has called for an inquiry into the affair Source: SNP News www.snp.org/new...0.3671172686
Abieuan Posts: 271 Posted: 24.Feb 2006 - 22:07	Quite a few of these documents have come to light in recent months, but surprisingly they have not caused much of a stir. Probably because they have been published in the "quality" papers, The Herald and The Scotsman, where they have generated much letter writing and debate. Alas, the mass media like the Record and The "Scottish" Sun have a strong political agenda (as their readers would not know what to think if they were not told) and play down these things in favour of stories about celebs and pervs.
porthia1947 Posts: 694 Posted: 25.Feb 2006 - 22:32	Makes you wonder what the control freaks in the centralist London regime are keeping hidden now on other issues doesn't it?
lyskerrys Posts: 928 Posted: 25.Feb 2006 - 22:38	I don't think that your average Jack or Jenny on the street could even begin to accept it if we knew what is currently being covered up. It'd be likely to stir up the next Civil War.
Abieuan Posts: 271 Posted: 21.Mar 2006 - 21:32	QuoteScottish National Party MSP Margaret Ewing has died at the age of 60 after a long battle with breast cancer. Mrs Ewing had represented the Moray area at Westminster and Holyrood for almost 20 years. Margaret joined the SNP in 1966 and entered parliament as MP for East Dunbartonshire, winning with a majority of just 22 in 1974. Elected in Moray in 1987 and re-elected 5 times Renowned local campaigner, especially for the retention of maternity services in Elgin Stood for the SNP leadership in 1990 against Alex Salmond Interests in education and developing world Member of the UK-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and Commonwealth Parliamentary Assembly SNP leader Alex Salmond MP said: "Margaret Ewing was an outstanding Member of Parliament in both Westminster and in Scotland and a hugely supportive friend and colleague. She will be missed across the political spectrum because Margaret was one of the few politicians without an enemy in the world. "Her love for her beautiful constituency of Moray was well known and her constituents responded in full measure by electing her five times in succession and in 2003, by a record majority, despite a debilitating illness. "She was elected first in the 1970s as the youngest MP with the smallest majority but it was when she returned to the House of Commons as MP for Moray that she really made her mark deploying great political skill. A popular and respected lady.
Abieuan Posts: 271 Posted: 8.Apr 2006 - 21:38	SNP “will win” Dundee West By Jim Hislop LABOUR WOULD lose Dundee West to the Scottish National Party in the next Scottish Parliamentary election according to the results of a poll commissioned by the SNP. The results, revealed to The Courier on the eve of the SNP conference in Dundee, show the SNP just 1% behind Labour. Leader Alex Salmond said, “This is obviously a tremendous boost for us going into the special conference in Dundee over the weekend.” The SNP commissioned YouGov to conduct a survey of 1607 Scots on their voting intentions for the Scottish Parliament constituency vote. YouGov asked the question so the SNP could identify those definitely going to vote. There were 949 people in this category—just under 60%—which the party said is a good reflection of turnout in a Scottish Parliament vote. The result for definite voters for the Scottish Parliament constituency vote was: Labour 30%, SNP 29%, Liberal Democrats 19%, Conservative 13%, Scottish Socialist Party 4% and 3% for the Green Party. It represents a swing from Labour of 5%, from the Tories of 4% and the Liberal Democrats of 0.65%. It would mean SNP gains in Galloway and Upper Nithsdale from the Tories and Cumbernauld, Kilmarnock, Dundee West, Western Isles, Govan, Aberdeen Central, Linlithgow, Renfrewshire West and Paisley South, all from Labour. It would also take the SNP halfway to the 20 first-past-the-post seats they aim to take in 2007. They said it ties in with local by-election results since May 2005, which have the SNP at 30% and Labour on 28%. The SNP have won seven of the 15 local by-elections, including in Glasgow, Fife, the Borders and Stirling. Mr Salmond added, “These results are very encouraging for the SNP. “We are neck-and-neck with the Labour Party in the polls and winning council seats in all parts of Scotland. “From Aberdeen and Dundee to the Western Isles the SNP is poised to take seats from Labour. “We have a powerful message for the people of Scotland, and a determination to deliver a government with the ambition and a parliament with the power to change Scotland for the better. “Our target is clear—victory in next year’s Scottish election. “I want to be the next First Minister for Scotland.” He added, “The wind is in the SNP’s sails.” http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2006/04/08/newsstory8208088t0.asp
porthia1947 Posts: 694 Posted: 24.Jan 2007 - 17:13	House of Commons debate on immigration Oral Answers to Questions — Scotland Tuesday, 23 January 2007 Quote Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan, Scottish National Party QuoteHow would the Secretary of State find time to meet European Commissioners when he is so busy standing in for the First Minister in debates on Scotland. Has not the reality of Scotland's European representation been laid bare by the leaked memo from the head of the European office of the Scottish Executive, which says that UK Departments ignore Scottish representations, that Scottish Ministers have to wait outside the Council of Ministers while decisions are made and that, "Scotland no longer has a hard-hitting voice within Cabinet"? Is that a reference to the Secretary of State, or just to the reduced status of his office? Oral answer from David Cairns (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (also Scotland Office), Scotland Office) QuoteI am delighted that the hon. Gentleman has raised the issue of that report, which gives me the opportunity to read out its conclusion— [Interruption.] He would do well to listen to this. It states: "Scotland's voice in Europe is stronger as part of the UK. As one of the big 4 Member States within the EU, the UK is a very powerful player. There is no more effective a position for Scotland than having one of the most influential Member States representing Scotland's interests within all 3 of the EU institutions." His argument is completely demolished. David Cairns continued: QuoteIt is entirely clear that if Scotland were to secede from the member state country, it would secede from the European Union, and would have to reapply. The French have recently altered their constitution to show that Scotland would not be allowed back in the EU unless there was a yes vote in a referendum in France. We would therefore be handing over Scotland's future membership of the EU to the French electorate. Even were that not the case, the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond) proposes to take Scotland out of the common fisheries policy, which means that he would not even be at the Fisheries Council to take part in such discussions. Twenty-five countries would be debating the common fisheries policy in one room, and he would be in the next room, talking to himself. I know that he is never happier than when talking to himself, but that will do Scotland no good at all. Source: Hansard Myself I don't think Scotland would suffer a great deal or for long from having to reapply for EU membership. This I would think would be much compensated for by being independent of the London Parliament and the Anglocentric mentality of the place.
Ian Posts: 318 Posted: 2.Feb 2007 - 11:23	Interesting link made by Alex Salmond on Wednesday's (31/01/07) oral questions to Tony Blair. Mr Salmond asked Blair known for his close association with President George W. Bush whether "...given all that has befallen the Prime Minister's men and women in recent days, is not now the more relevant association one with President Richard Millhouse Nixon? Is there a cover-up in Downing street?" To be fair we ought to give Mr Blair's response which was, "It is interesting that the hon. Gentleman should raise that question when we are just about to have a Scottish election campaign. Why does he not put to me his case for independence and separation in Scotland? I will tell him why. It is because he knows that that policy would be a disaster for the Scottish economy and for living standards in Scotland. The reason why he cannot raise a Scottish question with me is because he does not dare." Source Hansard
Ellery Posts: 286 Posted: 2.Feb 2007 - 15:29	Many Cornish people died in 1497 to keep Scotland free.
porthia1947 Posts: 694 Posted: 2.May 2008 - 16:27	QuoteBrian Taylor blog (BBC News Scotland 2nd May 2008) They frequently have an intriguing take on authentic politics - the real stuff that affects real people, as distinct from the partisan piffle that mostly masquerades as political discourse. Over the past year, I have been struck by the extent of goodwill in the Scottish business community towards the SNP administration. Partly, that's the result of assiduous lobbying, most notably by Jim Mather, over a prolonged period, starting years before the SNP took power at Holyrood. Partly, it's the background of senior Ministers. Alex Salmond was an economist for the Royal Bank; John Swinney had a career in finance; Jim Mather and Stewart Stevenson both have business backgrounds. They talk the talk. That talk includes a pro-business emphasis - stressing the objective of economic growth, cutting business rates, especially for small firms, scrapping bridge tolls. However, an alternative analysis was offered to me recently in a chat with a fairly senior business person. She reckoned that Scots business folk warmed to Mr Salmond because they liked the sense of confidence he exudes. For more: www.bbc.co.uk/blogs Where are the Alex Salmonds and John Swinneys in the Cornish political movement? Is it because such people are not attracted the Cornish political movement (i.e. will it have to start getting significant electoral support before they jump on board?) or are all the Cornish economists and businessmen/women that might be attracted to the idea of Cornwall having more control over its own affairs, including control over more of the money it gets from central government and where it spends it, all working outside of Cornwall?