The news today...

Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 28 April 2015

Ten days before what is likely to be the closest General Election in decades the political apathy I see around me seems to have reached a new nadir.

I looked at the BBC website for a news update at lunchtime. The headline story is the death of a childrens ventriloquist. I could not spot a single election news item on any of the first few pages.

I despair. This election campaign has been characterised by half truths, obfuscation and a total lack of energy or inspiration. I apply that to all sides equally. The media is now bored too.

The only safe prediction on May 7th is a woeful turnout I reckon. How sad that we saw such an energised independence debate in Scotland but as a nation we appear to be so un-engaged with choosing our ruling government.

Posted on: 29 April 2015 by The Meerkat

Originally Posted by Southweststokie:

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

Originally Posted by Chris G:

Originally Posted by wanderer:

Scotland has around 4.3m registered voters, rest of UK c 42m.

If SNP get say 60% of Scottish votes that would give them c2.6m supporters. If UKIP get 14% of the rest of UK they would have c5.9m supporters. SNP would get say 50 MP's and UKIP 2 or 3, reportedly.

How, on that basis, can it be equitable for SNP to call the shots. What a system!!

I agree 100% with your comments!

It would be infinitely worse if UKIP racists had any sway. Better the SNP having an influence than swivel eyed loons. Scotland is part of the UK after all.

It would be infinitely worse if UKIP racists had any sway. - But Ed 'Wallace' Milaband is promising to get a grip of immigration within 100 days of taking power. Does that make him a racist too?

Well said!

Posted on: 29 April 2015 by Mike-B

'could not have said it better Romi ....... plus wot Don sez. The etonian (small "e") mentality is past its sell-by date. I agree that not all Tories want to come out of Europe, that is a big risk to the business community that the Tories are supposed to be shoulder to shoulder with.

If that side of the right wing (& very diverse) political mix is to stand against Labour/SNP & UKIP, then methinks they need to shake out the old "little England" brigade & that might mean distancing the Bullingdon Club.

Posted on: 29 April 2015 by Don Atkinson

Originally Posted by dave4jazz:

Originally Posted by Chris G:

It would be a tragedy for democracy if the SNP with a small portion of the vote was able to prop up a minority government on its own terms.

First past the post. That's the system the electorate voted for (remember 2011?). We now live with the (potential) consequences. Isn't that how democracy works?

Dave

No reason why we couldn't have another vote.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Boundary Commision (is that the right outfit ?) could redistribute the number of seats around the UK to better match the population demograph.

Posted on: 29 April 2015 by wanderer

Boundary revision was a broken liberal agreement in return for a voting system referendum, which they lost.

Posted on: 30 April 2015 by Don Atkinson

Originally Posted by Don Atkinson:

Originally Posted by dave4jazz:

Originally Posted by Chris G:

It would be a tragedy for democracy if the SNP with a small portion of the vote was able to prop up a minority government on its own terms.

First past the post. That's the system the electorate voted for (remember 2011?). We now live with the (potential) consequences. Isn't that how democracy works?

Dave

No reason why we couldn't have another vote.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Boundary Commision (is that the right outfit ?) could redistribute the number of seats around the UK to better match the population demograph.

What I had in mind was that a redistribution based on population demographics would reduce the representation of Scotland to a more "normal" level as opposed to their current entitlement to about 50 seats representing only 4.3m registered voters. In other words, a more fair and just society.

Posted on: 30 April 2015 by Southweststokie

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

It would be infinitely worse if UKIP racists had any sway. Better the SNP having an influence than swivel eyed loons. Scotland is part of the UK after all.

But most of the SNP are racist, they hate the English don't they

Posted on: 30 April 2015 by dave4jazz

Originally Posted by Don Atkinson:

Originally Posted by dave4jazz:

Originally Posted by Chris G:

It would be a tragedy for democracy if the SNP with a small portion of the vote was able to prop up a minority government on its own terms.

First past the post. That's the system the electorate voted for (remember 2011?). We now live with the (potential) consequences. Isn't that how democracy works?

Dave

No reason why we couldn't have another vote.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Boundary Commision (is that the right outfit ?) could redistribute the number of seats around the UK to better match the population demograph.

A redistribution of electoral boundaries may achieve fairer representation but I'm not sure it will lead to a fairer and more just society.

Dave

Posted on: 30 April 2015 by Exiled Highlander

Don

What I had in mind was that a redistribution based on population demographics would reduce the representation of Scotland to a more "normal" level as opposed to their current entitlement to about 50 seats representing only 4.3m registered voters. In other words, a more fair and just society.

I think seats should be distributed by land mass....much fairer don't you think.

Slainte

Jim

Posted on: 30 April 2015 by Don Atkinson

Originally Posted by Exiled Highlander:

Don

What I had in mind was that a redistribution based on population demographics would reduce the representation of Scotland to a more "normal" level as opposed to their current entitlement to about 50 seats representing only 4.3m registered voters. In other words, a more fair and just society.

I think seats should be distributed by land mass....much fairer don't you think.

Slainte

Jim

Be careful what you wish for Jim.

That idea, which is not at all unreasonable IMHO, could mean that the inhabitants of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen get to be represented by one MP for each city. The rest of Scotland could enjoy 97 MPs spread around the Lowlands and the Highlands. (the figures can be modified, but I hope the concept is reasonably clear)

This might not work out too well for the long-term aims of the SNP based on the distribution of referendum votes last September.

However, providing Alex Salmond is in Westminster we can all look forward to a real push for a just and fair society. And that, for sure, is a good thing.

Your good health

Don