Thanks for this thoughtful and thought provoking piece.
I think the polls have got it really wrong. People are very frustrated, confused, downbeat. They don’t see their lives changing except for the worse. The UK is getting poorer and people don’t understand why. The mood is very volatile. Many have just given up voting because they don’t think it makes any difference. Others are angry and bitter and will kick out by voting Reform. They don’t actually care that Farage is a foul racist conman. They are beyond caring about ethics or high-minded principles. They’re just in pain and angry and they just like the cut of his jib that he wants to pull down all the shibboleths that liberalism is founded on.
You are right about migration. It’s a far bigger problem politically than politicians in Scotland think. Things have accelerated since we left the EU and the Dublin agreement no longer applies.
Thanks, Jackie, an excellent and informative post. I have never seen the Scottish electoral system explained before. As an English voter I am strongly in favour of an end to the first past the post system here. The extent of tactical voting in the last general election might suggest that others also see the weaknesses (that might not be a justified claim). In my constituency a Tory MP was replaced by Labour, next door a Tory lost to a Lib Dem. I believe in both cases large numbers voted tactically rather than with their “first choice” party. The current Labour majority government does not reflect the national vote,and to keep FPTP has a danger of an outsized Reform representation next time. Would you suggest the electoral “mixed economy” approach in Scotland is a successful one?
Thank you! I appreciate that feedback. Yes, it has taken a while to bed in but I think it’s a good balance. The List seats are allocated by the D’Hondt method which was originally designed by Thomas Jefferson. Originally on the List vote you had to rank parties in order of preference which left you feeling like you had voted for everyone, but nowadays it’s just one cross which is a lot better. I think only two countries - the US and UK - use FPTP. That’s because they’re the oldest. I do think they could add a few List seats to Westminster. Maybe they could do that at the same time as abolishing the House of Lords
Well the English Greens are pro indy too now, arguing we can look to a future of cooperation and perhaps confederation. Either way though, it would be preferable for the rUK to get rid of the House of Lords and replace it with something less random. I don't think they will though. .
Both changes are on my wish list 😊. In theory the last of the life peers are now going, but the political corruption of appointing life peers has to be replaced with a proper system of getting thoughtful experts in to improve how parliament works, and could be used to strengthen regional voices by using a list system also
I think Gordon Browns suggestion of a Senste of the Nations and Regions is good. Failing to meaningfully reform the House of Lords will be something historians point to when explaining the end of the Union with Scotland in my view.
Thanks for this thoughtful and thought provoking piece.
I think the polls have got it really wrong. People are very frustrated, confused, downbeat. They don’t see their lives changing except for the worse. The UK is getting poorer and people don’t understand why. The mood is very volatile. Many have just given up voting because they don’t think it makes any difference. Others are angry and bitter and will kick out by voting Reform. They don’t actually care that Farage is a foul racist conman. They are beyond caring about ethics or high-minded principles. They’re just in pain and angry and they just like the cut of his jib that he wants to pull down all the shibboleths that liberalism is founded on.
You are right about migration. It’s a far bigger problem politically than politicians in Scotland think. Things have accelerated since we left the EU and the Dublin agreement no longer applies.
Thanks, Jackie, an excellent and informative post. I have never seen the Scottish electoral system explained before. As an English voter I am strongly in favour of an end to the first past the post system here. The extent of tactical voting in the last general election might suggest that others also see the weaknesses (that might not be a justified claim). In my constituency a Tory MP was replaced by Labour, next door a Tory lost to a Lib Dem. I believe in both cases large numbers voted tactically rather than with their “first choice” party. The current Labour majority government does not reflect the national vote,and to keep FPTP has a danger of an outsized Reform representation next time. Would you suggest the electoral “mixed economy” approach in Scotland is a successful one?
Thank you! I appreciate that feedback. Yes, it has taken a while to bed in but I think it’s a good balance. The List seats are allocated by the D’Hondt method which was originally designed by Thomas Jefferson. Originally on the List vote you had to rank parties in order of preference which left you feeling like you had voted for everyone, but nowadays it’s just one cross which is a lot better. I think only two countries - the US and UK - use FPTP. That’s because they’re the oldest. I do think they could add a few List seats to Westminster. Maybe they could do that at the same time as abolishing the House of Lords
I really like having the two votes, which often allows me get two MSPs of different parties elected (both in favour of independence).
Good point. Strengthening the union would be a significant win from my English point of view…
Well the English Greens are pro indy too now, arguing we can look to a future of cooperation and perhaps confederation. Either way though, it would be preferable for the rUK to get rid of the House of Lords and replace it with something less random. I don't think they will though. .
Electoral Reform Society here, often useful https://electoral-reform.org.uk/
Both changes are on my wish list 😊. In theory the last of the life peers are now going, but the political corruption of appointing life peers has to be replaced with a proper system of getting thoughtful experts in to improve how parliament works, and could be used to strengthen regional voices by using a list system also
I think Gordon Browns suggestion of a Senste of the Nations and Regions is good. Failing to meaningfully reform the House of Lords will be something historians point to when explaining the end of the Union with Scotland in my view.