tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post3182636302392656976..comments2023-09-10T07:58:32.464-07:00Comments on Nelson's View: Scottish support for the Union is strongNelson McCausland MLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458324593112960421noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-40249202692157823022012-08-05T00:46:55.374-07:002012-08-05T00:46:55.374-07:00"With the decline of the Conservatives in Sco..."With the decline of the Conservatives in Scotland the SNP was seen as the alternative to Labour - it cannot be assumed that all those those who voted SNP were pro-independence"<br>True. But the majority of SNP supporters are in favour. There may be a small proportion who would vote No, and a larger group who like the idea but are unsure. Remember also that there are labour voters who would vote Yes, and a good many more than the party hierarchy would like to admit. And the whole thing is being muddied by the possibility of a "Devo Max" option. I suppose we can argue over polls forever; there is another two years before the referendum. But one thing I am absolutely certain of: there is no way the union will survive in its present form; there has to be massive change, and that goes for all the parts of the union, not just Scotland.<br>Like I say, we shall see. Interesting discussion.<br>Bye for now. :)smerralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485958340415489602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-31074155327688223662012-08-04T14:56:36.337-07:002012-08-04T14:56:36.337-07:00The poll was commissioned by the Fabian Society bu...The poll was commissioned by the Fabian Society but it was conducted by YouGov and the people who were polled were not just Labour members. You may not like the results but there you are.Nelson McCausland MLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458324593112960421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-31453390845882450342012-08-04T14:51:09.122-07:002012-08-04T14:51:09.122-07:00'The fact that there is a referendum at all is...'The fact that there is a referendum at all is a sign that the union is on its way out.' That is just nonsense. Many years ago there was a border poll in Northern Ireland and yet support for the Union is now stronger than ever.<br><br>With the decline of the Conservatives in Scotland the SNP was seen as the alternative to Labour - it cannot be assumed that all those those who voted SNP were pro-independence.Nelson McCausland MLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458324593112960421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-32223131741326924452012-08-04T14:34:44.960-07:002012-08-04T14:34:44.960-07:00So has the Empire struck back?Not long till the co...So has the Empire struck back?Not long till the commonwealth games and plenty will be Scottish and stand on the podium as true Scots that they already are.Charles O'Brien.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10778040983298966024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-83830703708857800932012-08-04T14:32:18.462-07:002012-08-04T14:32:18.462-07:00All these poll look great until you stop and think...All these poll look great until you stop and think for a moment: the Fabian society is a Labour think tank and only asked Labour members their views on independence,it doesn't look such a good poll now!Charles O'Brien.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10778040983298966024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-65540308172330698492012-08-04T03:02:52.369-07:002012-08-04T03:02:52.369-07:00I think when it comes down to it, the very fact th...I think when it comes down to it, the very fact that there is a referendum at all is a sign that the union is on its way out; this is not some kind of aberration but part of a process. A country does not overwhelmingly elect a nationalist government for nothing, even given the caveat that not everyone voted directly for independence. If the union is to be saved there HAS to be full fiscal autonomy at the very least. But I don't see that happening....we live in interesting times at least. :)smerralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485958340415489602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-48123360056615253722012-08-03T16:12:35.496-07:002012-08-03T16:12:35.496-07:00The Guardian (28 June) reported that 'several ...The Guardian (28 June) reported that 'several opinion polls have put support for independence at 33% to 35%.'Nelson McCausland MLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458324593112960421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-86351227285877268792012-08-03T14:54:34.661-07:002012-08-03T14:54:34.661-07:00An analysis of polls (excluding YouGov) over the l...An analysis of polls (excluding YouGov) over the last 3 years shows 2009-12 averages all other polls (MORI, TNS, Panelbase, VC/Angus Reid, ICM, ICD, SSAS, Comres)<br><br>Yes = 40%<br>No = 42%<br><br>YouGov:<br><br>Yes = 32%<br>No = 55%<br><br>You can easily verify these by googling them i.e 'ICM Scottish poll' or 'SSAS Scottish independence poll' etc<br><br>YouGov obtain responses using an invited group of internet users, that are paid in points that can then be exchanged for cash. <br><br>This is in direct contrast to most other opinion polling companies who use a random sample of data obtained either face to face or by phone. Since most other polls generally have similar results, it is obvious YouGov that is anomalous. <br><br>There is a belief amongst some opinion pollsters that their methods give inaccurate results in Scotland <br><br>Looking at results for Yougov polls before the Scottish elections last year back this theory up. <br><br>It seems clear that if you want to make support for independence look weak (like the Fabian society or Alistair Darling) you commission YouGov. Then the press and unionist politicians can reassure themselves that support for independence isn't there.<br><br>Keep on reassuring yourselves though. I want to see more complacency from unionists.Peninsulahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05146750073068803413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-82882623310174406992012-08-03T14:32:35.826-07:002012-08-03T14:32:35.826-07:00Nevertheless I believe it to be so. The only other...Nevertheless I believe it to be so. The only other alternative would be a fully federal Britain in which Scotland had full control over its economic resources. But I believe the British centralised state to be incapable of this. I can't argue about Irish nationalism because I know very little about it. Time will tell...smerralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485958340415489602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-17022321524249557432012-08-03T09:14:16.728-07:002012-08-03T09:14:16.728-07:00When you talk about the 'inevitable' you r...When you talk about the 'inevitable' you remind me very much of an Irish nationalist. There are very few things in life that are inevitable, other than death and taxes!<br><br>Down through the years Irish nationalists have told us that a United Ireland is inevitable but in fact support for it is now at an all-time low.<br><br>Simply saying that independence for Scotland is inevitable won't carry the day.Nelson McCausland MLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458324593112960421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-51577028368476343552012-08-03T08:25:58.240-07:002012-08-03T08:25:58.240-07:00I actually believe much of the so-called support f...I actually believe much of the so-called support for the union in recent polls comes from the "independence is a good idea but I'm not so sure" people. Die hard unionism is probably around 30%. It's a lot closer than you think and I believe that we will win a YES vote in 2014. If not, then it will be a relatively narrow loss, which will only delay the inevitable. I'm willing to bet we will be independent by 2016 or a little after. The UK in its present form is a dead duck.smerralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00485958340415489602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-32537368292045120012012-08-03T06:45:15.439-07:002012-08-03T06:45:15.439-07:00I don't understand your point Peter. I think ...I don't understand your point Peter. I think that more and more people in Scotland are beginning to think about the benefits of the Union and the implications of independence.<br><br>I have just returned from a holiday in Scotland and my support for the Union is based not just on financial or practical issues but also the fact that there are strong social, cultural and historical bonds between the nations within the United Kingdom, and especially between Ulster and Scotland.Nelson McCausland MLAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11458324593112960421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-30769519957562072312012-08-03T04:55:38.901-07:002012-08-03T04:55:38.901-07:00British nationalists are sounding increasingly des...British nationalists are sounding increasingly desperate every day.Peter A Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14204261467942498747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348278268205456603.post-24985608467902511782012-08-03T03:10:29.770-07:002012-08-03T03:10:29.770-07:00I was proud to witness Sir Chris Hoy MBE and his c...I was proud to witness Sir Chris Hoy MBE and his colleagues standing on the podium with their gold medals. Very proud of our country and Sir Chris sets an excellent example to his fellow Scots.<br><br>Expect promotion from Member to Commander or Knight Commander of the British Empire.<br><br>TimTimothy Belmonthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15111145260662707575noreply@blogger.com