Our Scotland - www.our-scotland.org

Maol.Chaluim · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 2:45 am Post subject:

Well, you have a point, SLG. I have a feeling that the SNP will be the biggest party in 2007, but obviously the other pro-indy parties need to get respectable results in order to form a coalition. I think all of the independents are pro-independence as well, which will help.

SLG · Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 7:42 pm Post subject:

At the moment, the pro-indy parties and independents total 44 seats. To win power we need 65. Even if we added the Lib Dems, it wouldn't be enough.

So, if we need to gain 21 seats. Is that realistic? Possibly, but all three pro-indy parties would have to be picking up seats. So I would say possible but unlikely.

If we include the Lib Dems, we need to gain four seats. All seats on top of that would mean being able to govern without relying on some of the Independents. I really don't know what's going to happen with the SSP, but I can see the SNP, Greens and Lib Dems gaining. So maybe these three could get together.

SLG · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject:

Interesting point just raised on another forum. The Scottish tories have been edging towards support for devolution, to the extent that they are seriously considering adopting a position of fiscal autonomy. Not too long ago, there were still Tories that talked about disbanding Holyrood. Such talk is now unheard of north of the border. Monteith was one who appeared to be sold by devolution and was pushing the party to adopt a policy on fiscal autonomy.

Andrew Neil and the Barclay brothers are notoriously opposed to independence and devolution and would like to see the Tories go back to a one-Britain policy. This might explain why the editor of the SoS took the decision to make Monteith's emails known, despite their confidential nature, knowing that it would effectively end his political career.