The Lib Dems' Scottish question
Peter Hoskin 6:09pm
If you're looking for a spot of LibCon strife that might actually mean something, then
how about Tavish Scott's interview in Scotland on Sunday? Judging by what he says about David
Cameron, the leader of the Scottish Lib Dems clearly isn't one for coalition niceties:
With the Scottish general elections drifting into view, there's little doubt that Scott is dissociating his Lib Dems from a Tory party that is unpopular and – as Alex has frequently noted – inept north of Carlisle. But the question for the Scottish Lib Dems is how far they want to take that process."I suspect that (David Cameron) doesn't even think about Scotland. It is not even remotely on his radar screen. He has a Scottish Secretary, and that's that."
Tim Montgomerie offers one suggestion that may sound rather peculiar in the current climate: a full coalition between Labour and the Lib Dems in Scotland. But when you consider how a poor Lib Dem performance next year could rock the coalition in Westminster, then I'm sure it's an option that Scott, and even Nick Clegg, would like to keep open.
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Frank Sutton
September 19th, 2010 6:26pm Report this commentThe great Scottish question that (still unanswered as far as I know) is this:
"Donald where's yer troosers?"
I'll get me kilt...
TrevorsDen
September 19th, 2010 6:59pm Report this comment'I suspect ...' In other words he cannot thionk of anything to say constructive or otherwise.
Scotland ... a nightmare for all three parties. Labour have plenty seats up there but they are all corrupt.
The politics of Scotland? 'Gimmie gimmie gimmie'
John Moss
September 19th, 2010 8:01pm Report this commentThe Scottish Conservatives should campaign on a platform offering a referendum on full independence and of Sctoland raisng at least 75% of what Scotland spends, from Scotland.
David Bouvier
September 20th, 2010 1:46am Report this commentThe actual general election vote share of course had the conservatives on 16.7% not so far short of the lib dems on 18.9% or the SNP on 19.9%, though of course the electoral math didn't help them.
In what sense is a party within 3.2% of the being the 2nd party "unpopular" compared to the SNP and Lib Dems?
FF
September 20th, 2010 10:06am Report this commentWhether or not Tavish Scott reflects coalition niceties, and bear in mind he operates in a different legislature from the one with the coalition, I would say he is completely right. David Cameron doesn't think about Scotland. Mr Cameron appears to hold a high degree of contempt for his own party's operations in Scotland, but no ideas or interest even in how things could be done differently.
William
September 20th, 2010 10:23am Report this commentDavid Bouvier is correct. In my constituency, Glasgow East (a hardcore Labour seat), the Conservatives polled only 150 fewer than the Liberal Democrats.
The Scottish Conservatives are generally useless and have allowed a myth to develop that no-one votes Conservative in Scotland. They do. It's not a majority but there is a core of supporters there with as much legitimacy as the Lib Dems or even the Nats in some areas.
Until the Scottish Conservatives get proper leadership they will continue to be bullied by nobodies. They need to stop apologising.
Jannie Geldenhuys
September 20th, 2010 10:58am Report this commentI wish Cameron would think a lot more about Scotland and in particular its gross over-representation.
Where are the coalition's proposals to address the West Lothian question?
Marcher Baron
September 20th, 2010 3:52pm Report this commentFor me the main Scottish question is when are they going to go independent and how soon will they stop voting on purely English matters at Westminster - yes, alright, I know that's two questions, but they are two sides of the same coin.
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