Not same as a one party state as Conservatives in government but probably won't be running our devolved administration?
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Holyrood2016
(586 posts)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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http://www.scotlandvotes.com/holyrood/2016-battleground-seats (2 in Edinburgh)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Parliament_election,_2016
Posted 8 years ago # -
Actually, three in Edinburgh!
Posted 8 years ago # -
True! (Didn't read list properly!!)
Posted 8 years ago # -
Also East Lothian just down the cycle path...
Posted 8 years ago # -
Edinburgh Southern could very well go Tory. Individual voter registration will have hit Gilmerton, the Inch and Moredun hard.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"Edinburgh Southern could very well go Tory."
My first reaction was that I thought that's unlikely as the Tory candidate Gavin Brown didn't have much success in 2011 and 2007, and I don't get the impression he's very active in the community, compared to Jim Eadie (SNP) who has the seat since 2011.
However, the ex LibDem voters are a big uncertainty. Before 2011 Mike Pringle had a solid majority and the LibDems were very present, I got a newsletter every month or so (not just at election time) usually with photos of Mike Pringle in front of a car park, waste bin or local shop that was threatened.
He lost a third of his voters in 2011 but IMO not because of personal failure, but because of the LibDem backlash. However, 2/3 of his voters didn't seem to mind the Tory coalition enough, and now the LibDems don't have a candidate, and if only half their remaining votes go the Tories, then they are head-to-head with SNP and Labour.
In terms of cycling, Jim Eadie (SNP) is good and I think Paul Godzik (Labour) too, but I don't know anything about Gavin Brown. So cycling has at least a 2/3 chance of winning... (no comment on other policies or ideologies).
Posted 8 years ago # -
"
Scottish Greens (@scotgp) tweeted at 8:38am - 9 Feb 16:
Missed #GreenLaunch16 yesterday? You can watch it here, featuring @SBeattieSmith and @patrickharvie. #GreenHolyrood
(https://twitter.com/scotgp/status/696976393922547712?s=17)
"
Posted 8 years ago # -
"
This time, the competition on the list will be fiercer – Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems all know that’s where most of their seats will have to come from – which may make it more difficult for the smaller parties to break through. But the way the system works, allocation of list seats can depend on tiny differences in parties’ share of the vote.
"
Posted 8 years ago # -
I really hate the term "one party state" when refering to the SNP popularity in Scotland. There are real one party states in the world - where only one party is allowed on the ballot by a despotic government to ensure their own success. I count a half dozen parties at least in Scotland. Just because one party is genuinely popular doesn't make a country a "one party state" with the fake comparison with fascist states.
Posted 8 years ago # -
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The only way to bring some balance into this situation is for a strong opposition to be elected at this year’s Holyrood elections so that the SNP is held to account. The best hope for that must be that the Conservatives under Ruth Davidson become that strong opposition because out of all of them they are the ones most committed to looking after your money.
You can like Uncle John if you wish, but somebody needs to be looking over his shoulder and I can’t think of anyone better than the kick-boxing, bible-bashing, ex-Territorial Army, no-nonsense Tory Ruth Davidson. If the comprehensive-educated lass from Burntisland can’t rein in Uncle John, no-one can. I think she’s the one to do it.
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Posted 8 years ago # -
"In terms of cycling, Jim Eadie (SNP) is good..."
Is he? That's good. I've spoken to him about cycling and he certainly understands the potential for keeping money in the local economy.
He's of a fairly conservative mindset I'd say (ideal candidate for Edinburgh Southern!) and I know he's had conversations previously with the spikier elements of our cycling community that put him off the subject. I also know that he personally doesn't feel safe cycling in Edinburgh. I think there's potential for us to encourage him with a bit of warmth if we can avoid the whole beard and sandals/critical mass image of bicycling.
I'd be happy to see Jim take the constituency and delighted to see Alison and Andy get in on the list for the Scottish Greens, but the Scotland Act 2015 and its fiscal framework worry me more than active travel right now.
Posted 8 years ago # -
That article by Brian Monteith in the Scotsman makes my head spin. He wants us to elect a Conservative to keep an eye on the management of the cuts being imposed by the Conservatives. We truly live in extraordinary times.
Posted 8 years ago # -
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Yours Sincerely
Sarah Boyack MSP Jim Eadie MSP Claudia Beamish MSP Alison Johnstone MSP
On behalf of
Cross Party Cycling Group"
Posted 8 years ago # -
"That article by Brian Monteith in the Scotsman makes my head spin."
It's all spin.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"
We are pleased to launch our manifesto setting out our vision of a more sensible transport system for Scotland:
For pedestrians and cyclists
For public transport passengers
For road users"
http://transformscotland.org.uk/blog/2016/01/28/what-we-want-for-scottish-transport
Worth a read -
Posted 8 years ago # -
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SCOTTISH Ministers have announced three controversial pieces of research into fracking, fuelling fears the Government will back the disputed energy extraction method after the election.
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http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14275504.SNP_announces_controversial_fracking_research/
Posted 8 years ago # -
So fracking, which is a problematic process and that if successful will add to the worldwide glut of fossil fuel and drive prices even lower and add to the atmospheric CO2 count and increase an already critically over-warming biosphere, is being pursued by the Scottish Government that is by the way also subsidising even further an already heavily-subsidised declining oil industry instead of planning in a timely manner for the inevitable wind-down and redeployment of its considerable workforce and expertise.
What could possibly go wrong?
Posted 8 years ago # -
"
sarah smith (@BBCsarahsmith)
15/02/2016, 8:25 am
Big week in Scottish Poltics as crucial talks on fiscal framework continue with Westminister @kdugdalemsp comes out in support of Scot Govt"
Posted 8 years ago # -
"instead of planning in a timely manner for the inevitable wind-down and redeployment of its considerable workforce and expertise."
It's hard to know whether it's blinkered politicians, poor advisors (civil servant and other), and/or strongarming 'industry interests' - who may or may not be in the SNP.
It just doesn't add up for a party/government that is keen to pass the 'strongest environmental legislation in the world'.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"a party/government that is keen to pass the 'strongest environmental legislation in the world'."
The Climate Change bill? It was only passed because the Greens insisted.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"It was only passed because the Greens insisted"
And they held the balance of power somehow?
Doesn't really matter whose idea it was, drafted it, made sure it didn't fall off the agenda etc.,, the SNP/Gov claim it as there's but act as though passing a bill is all that matters.
It's doubly odd that given the level of electoral support which is likely to give them another large majority in May, that they even bother to 'talk green'.
It seems that (some) ministers believe that fracking is desirable/necessary, but don't want to say so until after the election.
Except for the climate change deniers and those unable to grasp the notion of Peak Oil (the precise date is not important), the argument that nuclear, gas and unconventionals are 'necessary for the transition' relies on some ideas about what happens after the transition - and the investment to increase the chance that it might become a reality...
Posted 8 years ago # -
"And they held the balance of power somehow?"
When the SNP were in minority government, they needed every MSP they could muster to support legislation.
"It's doubly odd that given the level of electoral support which is likely to give them another large majority in May, that they even bother to 'talk green'."
Maybe trying to keep former Labour voters on side? Presumably some SNP party members also.
"It seems that (some) ministers believe that fracking is desirable/necessary, but don't want to say so until after the election."
Don't frighten the horses. Then once the election is won, they can do what they like for the next five years...
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'm not convinced the fracking investigation means that the SNP support it. They could be looking for a basis to ban it. If they ban it with no science to back it up them some smart lawyer is going to take them to task for loss of potential profits. If the science against it is solid then an investigation is a good thing.
Posted 8 years ago # -
And I notice I sort of prejudged that there and assumed that science finding against fracking was a good thing…
Obviously if the science is reliable then whatever the outcome would be right.
Posted 8 years ago # -
What do you do when large sections of your party either strongly support, or strongly oppose a course of action close to an election? Why - establish a panel of experts to come up with recommendations...after the election.
Once the election is out of the way, then the in-fighting can really begin.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"If the science against it is solid then an investigation is a good thing."
Yes but -
There's a difference between whether the process of fracking is 'bad' - and provably so - and whether allowing more fossil fuels is bad.
The latter is either proven or unprovable - depending on point of view.
Whether fracking in Scotland is 'OK' or 'bad' is likely to be a political judgment rather than a scientific one.
There are people who believe Trident is 'necessary' and those who think that renewing it is 'bad'/a waste of money.
Those against Trident are suggesting other ways of maintaining defence/deterrence and replacing jobs. So far they are not winning the political argument.
People against fracking are suggesting alternatives. It remains to be seen whether theSNP/Gov wants to go with some of those suggestions.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I don't think you're going to stop the hydrocarbons although this evening i saw a pro Union web site saying that the north sea is a cost for Westminster so perhaps they will stop.
I'd rather know the science behind fracking than not know it.
Trident pro/anti seems to depend a bit on where you are.
Posted 8 years ago # -
"I'd rather know the science behind fracking than not know it."
Well there's science, opinion and politics!
Posted 8 years ago # -
I know. My Higher class are still trying to find out which way I voted in 2014.
I don't think it is something they need to know and if they don't know by now then I must have got it right.
It does mean I can't use Twiters with my real name and no Facebook Twibbons.
Posted 8 years ago #
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