Stuart Dickson answer: hopefully the Scottish National Party
Beating the Lib Dems in terms of most MEPs, in a Great Britain context, would be a massive boost for my party, and a massive kick in the teeth for Clegg's sordid bunch.
I wonder if the events in Ukraine might add a point or two to the no vote in Scotland. The idea of going it alone and removing the nuclear deterrent doesn't look so appealing when parts of Europe look like they're descending into civil war.
I have seen some mince on here but this takes the biscuit.
Not necessarily, it only means they thought they had the lowest support.
It'd certainly be a first for No-ers to admit they had a chance of losing.
Well its the same reason as to why devo max wasn't on the referendum, surely?
The reason Devo Max was excluded from the Edinburgh Agreement is because David Cameron knew it would win. Hands down. He shat his breeks.
I thought it was because it raised the prospect of Yes squeaking it.
The union take is that Mr Cameron kicked Mr Salmond in the teeth while showing off his pecs. But ...
What Mr Salmond said was effectively "We want indy, but lots of the voters want devomax, and we believe in democracy so we'll agree to have that as a third option". And he was right in what he said - a lot of people wanted devomax and I'm sure some indy types would have gone for that rather than end up with No winning (rather like the PCS union members in reverse, so to speak). They could always try for indy later. And some Noes would have gone for devomax too if it seemed a safe non-indy option.
Anyway Mr Cameron said no and claimed the credit for seeing past Mr Salmond's nasty ploys. And kicked sand in the face of the devomaxers.
It was still a hell of a risk for Mr Salmond but I expect the SNP had it in mind that Mr C was going to be worried about trying to get it past not just the Labour and LD EWNI MPs but his own right winger MPs ... never mind having a referendum in EWNI if it came to that. Which would open the bucket of worms called the UK constitution and the wider question of the dominance of London and the SE.
Don't know the content of the briefings, but seems entirely reasonable. The UK doesn't want Scotland to declare independence so they will try to influence the decision that the Scottish voters make. Why wouldn't they use their advantages to swing the balance?
'As I have made clear, this is a decision that is squarely and solely for those in Scotland to make.'
Don't know who said that, but I absolutely agree.
It is a decision that is entirely up to those in Scotland. But others are entirely at liberty to try to persuade them one way or the other.
It was Dave's lovebomb.
'Well Vladimir & Mariano, now you've given your distinct insights into the matter, I'll definitely have another wee think about it.'
That's the nature of liberty.
They have the right to say what they want, and you have the right to ignore it if you so choose.
I've put up some numbers on turnout at the locals and Europeans in 2009 if anyone's interested: http://election-data.blogspot.co.uk/ Just over 48% of the European election vote in 2009 came from the councils which are having local elections this time.
Thank you for the information. You have a lot of Mosaic data on your blog; is that freely available or have you a private source?
I wonder if the events in Ukraine might add a point or two to the no vote in Scotland. The idea of going it alone and removing the nuclear deterrent doesn't look so appealing when parts of Europe look like they're descending into civil war.
I have seen some mince on here but this takes the biscuit.
Don't know the content of the briefings, but seems entirely reasonable. The UK doesn't want Scotland to declare independence so they will try to influence the decision that the Scottish voters make. Why wouldn't they use their advantages to swing the balance?
'As I have made clear, this is a decision that is squarely and solely for those in Scotland to make.'
Don't know who said that, but I absolutely agree.
It is a decision that is entirely up to those in Scotland. But others are entirely at liberty to try to persuade them one way or the other.
It was Dave's lovebomb.
'Well Vladimir & Mariano, now you've given your distinct insights into the matter, I'll definitely have another wee think about it.'
That's the nature of liberty.
They have the right to say what they want, and you have the right to ignore it if you so choose.
Of course. If you and Dave want to adopt Putin as your ally in the pursuit of liberty, just don't be surprised when it's pointed out when Dave starts blathering about it being up to us to make the decision while ducking a debate.
Don't know the content of the briefings, but seems entirely reasonable. The UK doesn't want Scotland to declare independence so they will try to influence the decision that the Scottish voters make. Why wouldn't they use their advantages to swing the balance?
'As I have made clear, this is a decision that is squarely and solely for those in Scotland to make.'
It is up to those in Scotland to make the decision. That does not mean that the rest of the UK, Europe, and indeed the rest of the world, cannot give their opinion on the possibility. And just giving an opinion, view, or even saying anything, may influence some people, one way or the other.
And as it will effect the rest of the UK, then those of us in the UK have a right to say what we want. We can't interfere with the vote, but was sure as heck can give our view.
Some Scottish Nationalists seem to want to shriek everyone else down until there are only the pro-indy voices left. Note the hysteria against the Economist just this morning.
If the voice of an independent Scotland is going to be like that, then it does not bode well for independence.
Comments
Stuart Dickson answer: hopefully the Scottish National Party
Beating the Lib Dems in terms of most MEPs, in a Great Britain context, would be a massive boost for my party, and a massive kick in the teeth for Clegg's sordid bunch.
What Mr Salmond said was effectively "We want indy, but lots of the voters want devomax, and we believe in democracy so we'll agree to have that as a third option". And he was right in what he said - a lot of people wanted devomax and I'm sure some indy types would have gone for that rather than end up with No winning (rather like the PCS union members in reverse, so to speak). They could always try for indy later. And some Noes would have gone for devomax too if it seemed a safe non-indy option.
Anyway Mr Cameron said no and claimed the credit for seeing past Mr Salmond's nasty ploys. And kicked sand in the face of the devomaxers.
It was still a hell of a risk for Mr Salmond but I expect the SNP had it in mind that Mr C was going to be worried about trying to get it past not just the Labour and LD EWNI MPs but his own right winger MPs ... never mind having a referendum in EWNI if it came to that. Which would open the bucket of worms called the UK constitution and the wider question of the dominance of London and the SE.
Yulia Bragina @YuliaSkyNews 58 mins
Oh wow, even better than expected. Yanukovich's toilet. "@gruppa_voina: ТУАЛЕТ ЯНУКОВИЧА
http://tinyurl.com/pfkchwj
Maxim Eristavi @MaximEristavi 1 hr
At Yanukovych's residence journos found a receipt for handover of $12M. In cash(!).
http://tinyurl.com/lqx79hs
www.pinterest.com/pin/316237205055752805
Are luxurious lavvies a particular interest?
They have the right to say what they want, and you have the right to ignore it if you so choose.
It did bring me to this delightful site though: http://www.heavy.com/comedy/2013/01/the-20-most-awesome-toilets/
It appears Viktor Yanukovych has mosaic in Kiev.
It may well fit the seats you are interested in.
Middle option bias is well understood. That's what Salmond wanted it on the ballot paper and Cameron wanted it off. Cameron won.
As an example, you have been happy with the three options "yes, no and abolish the Scottish Parliament"?
(Someone's opened the comments).
If you and Dave want to adopt Putin as your ally in the pursuit of liberty, just don't be surprised when it's pointed out when Dave starts blathering about it being up to us to make the decision while ducking a debate.
Good site, I liked the Swiss Army Knife, geek that I am.