Scottish Election 6 weeks away.

So why is Johnson so frit ?

I’d agree with you suziewoosie, it’s totally up to the voting population of Scotland to decide what they want to do. It would be great if there was a very high turnout at the poll, and a decisive result one way or another so there’s a clear direction for the country to follow.

I would want a referendum too, then everyone knows where they stand.

This is ridiculously hypothetical but - if I were living in Scotland and a Unionist, I’d want a referendum - firstly because it’s democracy and secondly so I could make my position clear without having No 10 speaking for me. Would there be others who felt that way ?

Casdon I agree. I know quite a lot of people who say that they are not interested in independence, but voted for the party or leader who seemed most relevant to Scotland. When/if the next referendum takes place, votes may go against it (or not - it could go either way)

In any case, under Nicola Sturgeon, the referendum will probably take second place to financial and social recovery. There is no point in striking out independently when the country is still reeling from the multiple blows to health and economy from CoVid. The media, of course, would rather the political soap opera keeps momentum with a new conflict!

Elegran - glad we're friends!

My grandson (aged 18) has joined Yes Cymru which apparently is a non political group pushing for independence

Gossamerbeynon1945, Yes, I saw your apology, and thank you. My ranting post took so long to type that it crossed with it (I type slowly), so must like a further moan, but it it isn't!

It’s clear that there’s been a degree of COVID voting going on in all three nations, so people who think their incumbent leaders handled COVID well have given them their votes. What interests me about the Scottish position is how much of the SNP vote is directly related to a wish for independence and how much of it is that they think the pandemic has been handled well, and also there isn’t another viable choice of party that people can live with at the moment.

There’s definitely a political mandate for an independence vote in my opinion, but from what I’ve seen, I’m less convinced as to whether people will vote for it or not when the crunch comes - and if they do or don’t, as it’s likely to be a fine margin, how it can the consequences be reconciled within Scotland itself?

Elegran, I have already apologised, but if you want me to do it again, I apologise, I didn't mean to be insulting.

By the way, I am Welsh and I can see that Wales will be asking for independence in the future

It took me too long to type that, so the discussion has moved on a bit, but I concur with Alegrias that the Scots are not some alien species who want something strange. They are a mixture of individuals just as are all nations, and don't deserve to be patronised and vilified for wanting to plan their future - whether it is within the Uk or outside it.

Gossamerbeynon1945

The only thing worse than not getting what you want , is getting it. They (Scotland) should have a second referendum, because they want to leave theUK.

Not giving it to them is like trying to keep a cheating husband in a marriage, who really wants to leave.
Just my opinion.

Who are "they"? If "she" is the cat's mother, are "they" the rest of the cat's family? The inhabitants of Scotland are not an identical cohort of red-haired kilted teuchters eating nothing but porridge and haggis, washed down with usquebae, and eaten standing up in the wee but'n'ben halfway up Ben Nevis, before sheep-shearing and caber practice.

They are a disparate bunch. There are people living in remote islands, people in busy industrial towns, leafy suburbs, small towns, farming villages, (ex)mining areas, (ex)thriving fishing communities, working on oil rigs, in financial centres, in factories making all kinds of goods, in supermarkets and corner shops, herding sheep, growing organic vegetables, farming alpacas and buffalo, nursing the sick, cutting hair, teaching children, volunteering in charity shops.

They each have an opinion on independence. They don't all have the same view of the future, but they have a righht to express that opinion, and vote on it if the opportunity arises. Much like all youse English and Welsh folk, actually. You had the chance to vote on Brexit. A lot of people wanted to leave. The vote went their way, so we left - all of us, even those who would rather have stayed.

Gossamerbeynon1945
Not giving it to them is like trying to keep a cheating husband in a marriage, who really wants to leave.

It's more like an abusive partner forcing their wife/husband to stay by convincing them they'll never manage on their own.

Thank you Gossamerbeynon1945

In all seriousness, I might get called touchy, but I think this is part of the problem. We are seen as something separate and treated as the poor relation - often there is an undertone of just being told to suck it up. And it gets wearing.

But I appreciate now that you didn't mean that.

If you mean me Alegrias1 I apologise. I didn't mean to be insulting

We might be more inclined to stay in a Union with people who stopped referring to us as "they" and calling us short sighted. Or even comparing us to a cheating husband.

Know your Place Unionism, eh?

I do know a few people who vote SNP but would vote against a break up of the union. Which to me is quite baffling.

Personally I'd like to see a referendum as soon as possible.

Let's get it sorted so we know one way or another and there isn't this battle of words/wills.

Before anyone asks, I voted remain

In the interests of transparency I have wasted over an hour of my precious time perusing the Smith Commission Report qv assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/397079/Scotland_EnduringSettlement_acc.pdf

As I said the report was agreed and signed by both UK and Scottish Governments ( There remains dispute as to whether ALL or indeed MOST of the promises within were fulfilled)

However there is definitely no mention whatsoever of any future Referendums. Nor indeed. of the introduction of EVIL legislation, immediately after the lost referendum, without any consultation with the Welsh or Scottish Governments. Quell Surprise!

The only thing worse than not getting what you want , is getting it. They (Scotland) should have a second referendum, because they want to leave theUK.

Not giving it to them is like trying to keep a cheating husband in a marriage, who really wants to leave.
Just my opinion.

I don’t normally post on these threads or indeed any threads much but can I ask a question?

It would appear that the voters in Scotland have voted for a party who’s manifesto stated quite clearly that a referendum would be offered to the voters when the time was right?

What valid reasons can others now have to oppose that?

I’m interested in learning why this democratic right is being opposed?

If the people don’t want independence then surely
the ballot box is the only way to settle the argument?

But the last one was ‘once in a generation’ that was agreed to by Scotland and signed and witnessed.

It wasn't.
It wasn't even written on the side of a bus.

I do.
Cross my heart and hope to die.

Urmstongran said "We need to lovebomb Scotland! I’d hate for them to leave the Union."

That was already done in 2014, then the love all shriveled away straight after the referendum.
It won't work again.

Urmstongran

You’re right. I’ve (sadly) changed my mind. Bring on a referendum and let’s settle the matter once and for all.

I hope Scotland reject Indy2 but as you’re all saying, it’s their decision to make.

Fair play if you mean that

Granny23 didn't you notice the thousands of SNP2 votes which acheived nothing at all?
You're happy with that rather than for them to have gone to another independence supporting party?