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| Voters' Panel - Leader views | Voters' Panel - Leader views |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A selection of panellists from the BBC Scotland news website have offered their views on how the leaders of the political parties are performing in the campaign. | A selection of panellists from the BBC Scotland news website have offered their views on how the leaders of the political parties are performing in the campaign. |
| Philip Ashley-SmithShetland "The election should be about policies and not personalities" | Philip Ashley-SmithShetland "The election should be about policies and not personalities" |
| Tina WatkinsMuir of Ord "I found Robin Harper to be passionate about his party's policies" | Tina WatkinsMuir of Ord "I found Robin Harper to be passionate about his party's policies" |
| Andrew PalmerWestern Isles "A politician's image doesn't carry as much weight as substance" | Andrew PalmerWestern Isles "A politician's image doesn't carry as much weight as substance" |
| Alex BrowneLinlithgow "Compared to others, Alex Salmond comes out equal or ahead in every area" | Alex BrowneLinlithgow "Compared to others, Alex Salmond comes out equal or ahead in every area" |
| Alistair BarclayLochearnhead "Annabel Goldie comes across as the matronly aunt" | Alistair BarclayLochearnhead "Annabel Goldie comes across as the matronly aunt" |
| YOUR COMMENTS | YOUR COMMENTS |
| For me the question is simple. Do we want to continue the process of sending our money to the Treasury in London whereby we later get some of it back? Labour talks of Scotland having a deficit, but if we have it's that system which has produced the deficit.Norway has around £300 billion in an Oil fund for when Oil runs out? Scotland has £0 (zero) in its Oil fund. Norway is run from Oslo, Scotland is run from London. Do we really need to run through all the small countries which are doing so much better than Scotland and indeed better than Britain in many cases?I think a vote for the SNP will give us all a fresh start and light such a fire in our bellies we will never look back to the days of being a second rate nation under UK rule.Brian Hill, Edinburgh | |
| It is not the SNP who are burying their heads in the sand about whether Scotland will be better or worse off outside the Union.Why do Unionists make the blind assumption that the settlement from Westminster that THEY consider to be so generous will continue over the decades?recent history (Margaret Thatcher-How short are your memories?) has shown otherwise.It is their arguement that is fundamentally flawed, not ours.Scotland will, whether in the Union or not, have to tackle issues like (for example) the large numbers of people on Incapacity Benefit, and community dissorder.What Unionists want to do is ensure that the answers to these questions come from Westminster and not here.Independence simply allows us to make these tough decisions ourselves.-AND it should be US who decides when we go to war-nobody else.How can you denegrate our MSPs in comparison to the Westminster Parliament??-Cash for questions anyone?-Westminster!-The most inneficient parliament in Europe?-Westminst! er!-Infantile public school playground atmosphere?-Westminster!-Illegal wars?-Westminster?-Peerages for loans?-Westminster!-Lying to the people of Scotland about the true extent of Scotland's oil wealth?-Westminster!-I will vote SNP, because there IS no real choice for Scotland if we want a secure future. James Barkaway, Glasgow Scotland | It is not the SNP who are burying their heads in the sand about whether Scotland will be better or worse off outside the Union.Why do Unionists make the blind assumption that the settlement from Westminster that THEY consider to be so generous will continue over the decades?recent history (Margaret Thatcher-How short are your memories?) has shown otherwise.It is their arguement that is fundamentally flawed, not ours.Scotland will, whether in the Union or not, have to tackle issues like (for example) the large numbers of people on Incapacity Benefit, and community dissorder.What Unionists want to do is ensure that the answers to these questions come from Westminster and not here.Independence simply allows us to make these tough decisions ourselves.-AND it should be US who decides when we go to war-nobody else.How can you denegrate our MSPs in comparison to the Westminster Parliament??-Cash for questions anyone?-Westminster!-The most inneficient parliament in Europe?-Westminst! er!-Infantile public school playground atmosphere?-Westminster!-Illegal wars?-Westminster?-Peerages for loans?-Westminster!-Lying to the people of Scotland about the true extent of Scotland's oil wealth?-Westminster!-I will vote SNP, because there IS no real choice for Scotland if we want a secure future. James Barkaway, Glasgow Scotland |
| There is a comment above which states that Scots can see through the biased reporting of the election we recieve in this country. I wish that this were true. Of course it will have an impact and that is why they persue it. Despite it being an issue open to debate, as to merits and disadvantages, and with substantial numbers of people on each side not one national newspaper supports independence or even, it seems to me, has an open mindset on the subject. paul h, fife | There is a comment above which states that Scots can see through the biased reporting of the election we recieve in this country. I wish that this were true. Of course it will have an impact and that is why they persue it. Despite it being an issue open to debate, as to merits and disadvantages, and with substantial numbers of people on each side not one national newspaper supports independence or even, it seems to me, has an open mindset on the subject. paul h, fife |
| The SNP is the only chance for change in Scotland. The only 'mob' I see in Scottish Politics is the Labour Mafia here in the West! The Tories are a distraction (as are the other minor parties) and the Lib Dems dont believe in a single thing! As is proven by their U-turn on road pricing and congestion charging ideas, the moment it was proven to be unpopular.Patrick Kirkwood, West Kilbride, North Ayrshire | The SNP is the only chance for change in Scotland. The only 'mob' I see in Scottish Politics is the Labour Mafia here in the West! The Tories are a distraction (as are the other minor parties) and the Lib Dems dont believe in a single thing! As is proven by their U-turn on road pricing and congestion charging ideas, the moment it was proven to be unpopular.Patrick Kirkwood, West Kilbride, North Ayrshire |
| I'm acutely aware that Jack McConnell is a complete buffoon, however to think that Alex Salmond along with Nicola Sturgeon could run this country beggars belief, one incompetent regime replaced by another. Messers Salmond and co. are peddling nonsense as implementable policies - and since when can they influence what happens with the war in Iraq or WMD's at Faslane?? I wonder how some on these boards will feel 4 years from now??Phil, Glasgow | I'm acutely aware that Jack McConnell is a complete buffoon, however to think that Alex Salmond along with Nicola Sturgeon could run this country beggars belief, one incompetent regime replaced by another. Messers Salmond and co. are peddling nonsense as implementable policies - and since when can they influence what happens with the war in Iraq or WMD's at Faslane?? I wonder how some on these boards will feel 4 years from now??Phil, Glasgow |
| "Shame on Jack McConnell and Tony Blair. How dare they talk down Scotland."The only party talking Scotland down is the SNP, it is not in their interests to say that Scotland has the highest ever employment lowest ever unemployment, a growth rate equal to the UK and above in the long term trend. It is in the SNP's interest to talk Scotland down, if they convince the electorate that Scotland is doing badly they may vote SNP but as we saw this week once they start to talk about detail their case collapses and I believe the electorate will recognise that on May 3rd.Darryl Matheson, Elgin, Morayshire | "Shame on Jack McConnell and Tony Blair. How dare they talk down Scotland."The only party talking Scotland down is the SNP, it is not in their interests to say that Scotland has the highest ever employment lowest ever unemployment, a growth rate equal to the UK and above in the long term trend. It is in the SNP's interest to talk Scotland down, if they convince the electorate that Scotland is doing badly they may vote SNP but as we saw this week once they start to talk about detail their case collapses and I believe the electorate will recognise that on May 3rd.Darryl Matheson, Elgin, Morayshire |
| AS A SCOT LIVING IN ENGLAND AND WITH EVERY INTENTION TO RETURN IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS ,HEARING THE S.N.P MAY AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE TAKE POWER FILLS ME WITH DREAD !I AM AT THE MOMENT PAYING EVERY BLASTED TAX UNDER THE SUN DOWN HERE JUST WAIT FOR THAT MOB TO GET IN NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO STAY IN SCOTLAND.CERTAIN PEOPLE HAVE SAID OH YES EIRE CAN DO IT,WE'RE NOT IRISH,WE'RE BRITISHDAVID MCNEILL, WIRRAL MERSEYSIDE | AS A SCOT LIVING IN ENGLAND AND WITH EVERY INTENTION TO RETURN IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS ,HEARING THE S.N.P MAY AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE TAKE POWER FILLS ME WITH DREAD !I AM AT THE MOMENT PAYING EVERY BLASTED TAX UNDER THE SUN DOWN HERE JUST WAIT FOR THAT MOB TO GET IN NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO STAY IN SCOTLAND.CERTAIN PEOPLE HAVE SAID OH YES EIRE CAN DO IT,WE'RE NOT IRISH,WE'RE BRITISHDAVID MCNEILL, WIRRAL MERSEYSIDE |
| Why can't people understand the difference betweem 'patriotism' and 'nationalism' - a vote for the SNP would subject the Scottish people to 4 years of wasted focus and discussion on independence that would surely (according to 90% of economists) result in the economic ruin for a country that currently has no valid reason to leave the union. This time would be better spent focusing on more important issues such as heatlth and education - both of which the SNP have provided policies where the numbers just don't add up! Watching Braveheart and having an unhealthy bigotry towards the English is not a reason for voting for a party, that gives those of us who have given this election more than a narrow minded thought, sleepless nights!Kenny, Glasgow, UK | Why can't people understand the difference betweem 'patriotism' and 'nationalism' - a vote for the SNP would subject the Scottish people to 4 years of wasted focus and discussion on independence that would surely (according to 90% of economists) result in the economic ruin for a country that currently has no valid reason to leave the union. This time would be better spent focusing on more important issues such as heatlth and education - both of which the SNP have provided policies where the numbers just don't add up! Watching Braveheart and having an unhealthy bigotry towards the English is not a reason for voting for a party, that gives those of us who have given this election more than a narrow minded thought, sleepless nights!Kenny, Glasgow, UK |
| I know I have only had a go but the lady who claims the SNP is a republican party must have missed Alex Salmond's response that he was for the United Kingdom (The crown settlement) but against the union (political settlement).One of the reasons the English parliament of the day was so keen for the 'union' was to prevent the Scot's parliament rejecting George 1 and bringing back a Stewart (the old pretender). There are wings of both the SNP and Labour who harbour republican sentiments.Peter Thomson, Kirkcudbright | I know I have only had a go but the lady who claims the SNP is a republican party must have missed Alex Salmond's response that he was for the United Kingdom (The crown settlement) but against the union (political settlement).One of the reasons the English parliament of the day was so keen for the 'union' was to prevent the Scot's parliament rejecting George 1 and bringing back a Stewart (the old pretender). There are wings of both the SNP and Labour who harbour republican sentiments.Peter Thomson, Kirkcudbright |
| Not only content with replacing hereditary peers with cash for honours (allegedly), having imposed a labour government on England (one they didn't vote for), and voting on english only issues, if in scotland labour are booted out then ironically england will be left with a scottish prime minister and a labour government brought to power by scotland, but not in power north of the border (in the devolved parliament at least) - maybe it's time for devolution in england tooRick, Skye | Not only content with replacing hereditary peers with cash for honours (allegedly), having imposed a labour government on England (one they didn't vote for), and voting on english only issues, if in scotland labour are booted out then ironically england will be left with a scottish prime minister and a labour government brought to power by scotland, but not in power north of the border (in the devolved parliament at least) - maybe it's time for devolution in england tooRick, Skye |
| United We Stand Divided we fall etc....thats it keep talking Scotland down "too wee" "too stupid" "too poor" etc ......If we are too poor who made us that way?...Who's been in charge for the last ten years?..Raymond Moran, Highlands of Scotland | United We Stand Divided we fall etc....thats it keep talking Scotland down "too wee" "too stupid" "too poor" etc ......If we are too poor who made us that way?...Who's been in charge for the last ten years?..Raymond Moran, Highlands of Scotland |
| i think the SNP are one of the best parties to vote for on thier policies but the lib dems have again good policies too. this business about the union is just desperate westminster ministers resulting toscare tactics to stay in power and if were such a drain on the union anyway they why do they want us to stay??Scott Laird, Falkirk Scotland | i think the SNP are one of the best parties to vote for on thier policies but the lib dems have again good policies too. this business about the union is just desperate westminster ministers resulting toscare tactics to stay in power and if were such a drain on the union anyway they why do they want us to stay??Scott Laird, Falkirk Scotland |
| The Labour voter is not on the same planet as me! The Tory had nothing constructive to contribute! The 3 others actually had something different or interesting to say!The UK has had its day,this is a Scottish election and its btween SNP and Labour! So I will be voting SNP! I cant stomach the idea of another 4 years of Labour!I have no strong objections to the Lib Dems or to the Greens! They are just not for me! The Lib Dems have a weak leader - I think Mike Rumbles would have made a better election campaigner! The Greens still have a lot of maturing to do! However they are infinitely better than Tory or Labour who are pretty much one and the same in this election - nothing positive really to say about the future of Scotland!The doomsayers of the 2 biggest Unionist party's deserve a good kicking for the way they have conducted themselves over the years! I hope they get it next Thursday! Iain More, Burghead, Moray | The Labour voter is not on the same planet as me! The Tory had nothing constructive to contribute! The 3 others actually had something different or interesting to say!The UK has had its day,this is a Scottish election and its btween SNP and Labour! So I will be voting SNP! I cant stomach the idea of another 4 years of Labour!I have no strong objections to the Lib Dems or to the Greens! They are just not for me! The Lib Dems have a weak leader - I think Mike Rumbles would have made a better election campaigner! The Greens still have a lot of maturing to do! However they are infinitely better than Tory or Labour who are pretty much one and the same in this election - nothing positive really to say about the future of Scotland!The doomsayers of the 2 biggest Unionist party's deserve a good kicking for the way they have conducted themselves over the years! I hope they get it next Thursday! Iain More, Burghead, Moray |
| The media bias against the SNP is astounding,we have had aged footballer,scientific,tesco bosses etc etc all on the front pages of these so called papers,the tv is little better and it is to the scottish peoples credit they are not buying it! i will for the first time be voting SNP 1,2,3 as i am sick to death being told by Lab,Lib,tories,The Daily record etc etc that we cant stand on our own two feet. "better to be a Tiger for a day ,than a shhep for a thousand years" Celtic proverbian gallagher, Dumfries | The media bias against the SNP is astounding,we have had aged footballer,scientific,tesco bosses etc etc all on the front pages of these so called papers,the tv is little better and it is to the scottish peoples credit they are not buying it! i will for the first time be voting SNP 1,2,3 as i am sick to death being told by Lab,Lib,tories,The Daily record etc etc that we cant stand on our own two feet. "better to be a Tiger for a day ,than a shhep for a thousand years" Celtic proverbian gallagher, Dumfries |
| These messageboards are so full of extremists who just snipe bitterly at all the parties they dont like. The level of bile used by the Nationalists against the unionist parties, and by some Labour people against the SNP - is so dispiriting to anyone who comes here looking for a real, serious debate. Its good to have passion in your politics but how about respecting other people's point of view and being a bit less nasty guys, ok? There. Ive said my piece. You probably won't listen but I tried!Ross McLean, Edinburgh | These messageboards are so full of extremists who just snipe bitterly at all the parties they dont like. The level of bile used by the Nationalists against the unionist parties, and by some Labour people against the SNP - is so dispiriting to anyone who comes here looking for a real, serious debate. Its good to have passion in your politics but how about respecting other people's point of view and being a bit less nasty guys, ok? There. Ive said my piece. You probably won't listen but I tried!Ross McLean, Edinburgh |
| I'll be voting SNP. Watching the BBC News 24's pathetic excuse for coverage of the election was a great help in letting me decide.For some reason the BBC thought the best way to use the couple of minutes allocated to the subject would be to interview dinosaur Tam Dalyell and let him pour scorn on how 'his fellow' Scots were a bunch of ungrateful scroungers who'd incurred the rightful wrath of England. The BBC could have spared their correspondent the airfare to Scotland and just interviewed some other dusty old English chauvanist aristo in a gentlemans' club in London. Thanks BBC, for reminding us, by putting forward the sour Little Englander viewpoint, why we need the SNP.Angus McIonnach, Edinburgh | I'll be voting SNP. Watching the BBC News 24's pathetic excuse for coverage of the election was a great help in letting me decide.For some reason the BBC thought the best way to use the couple of minutes allocated to the subject would be to interview dinosaur Tam Dalyell and let him pour scorn on how 'his fellow' Scots were a bunch of ungrateful scroungers who'd incurred the rightful wrath of England. The BBC could have spared their correspondent the airfare to Scotland and just interviewed some other dusty old English chauvanist aristo in a gentlemans' club in London. Thanks BBC, for reminding us, by putting forward the sour Little Englander viewpoint, why we need the SNP.Angus McIonnach, Edinburgh |
| There is no doubt that Tommy Sheridan has been the most impressive politician of any who have been interviewed on TV. He deserves re-election and I'm sure he will get sufficient support in Glasgow.Peter Bruce, Glasgow | There is no doubt that Tommy Sheridan has been the most impressive politician of any who have been interviewed on TV. He deserves re-election and I'm sure he will get sufficient support in Glasgow.Peter Bruce, Glasgow |
| Its time to give labour a good kicking,they have ran Scotland for far too many years and mostly badly.ITS TIME FOR ALEX SALMOND to be given a chance.The nat bashing comments of Labour,Daily Record and the Sun newspaper are an insult to the genuine people of ScotlandStuart, Cumbernauld,Scotland | Its time to give labour a good kicking,they have ran Scotland for far too many years and mostly badly.ITS TIME FOR ALEX SALMOND to be given a chance.The nat bashing comments of Labour,Daily Record and the Sun newspaper are an insult to the genuine people of ScotlandStuart, Cumbernauld,Scotland |
| This election campaign has been one of the worst I remember! There is a lack of policy definition going on and really, who cares who celebrities support? I fail to see what relevance this has in the campaign. I believe it's to cover up all the failings in the parties. Labour appear to have only one policy, beat the Nats with a stick. Jack McConnell has come of this the worst. He is put plainly, poor! There also appears to be only 2 members of the SNP! Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon! My literature had pictures of our Lord and soon to be Leader Mr Salmond, not a clue what my local candidate looks like! Of the main parties the Lib Dems come out the best as at least they have made an attempt to be clear in their principles although Nicol Stephen is rather lacklustre.I think that this election will be a great time for fringe parties such as the Greens and OAPs Party due to general disillusionment.Grant, Banchory | This election campaign has been one of the worst I remember! There is a lack of policy definition going on and really, who cares who celebrities support? I fail to see what relevance this has in the campaign. I believe it's to cover up all the failings in the parties. Labour appear to have only one policy, beat the Nats with a stick. Jack McConnell has come of this the worst. He is put plainly, poor! There also appears to be only 2 members of the SNP! Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon! My literature had pictures of our Lord and soon to be Leader Mr Salmond, not a clue what my local candidate looks like! Of the main parties the Lib Dems come out the best as at least they have made an attempt to be clear in their principles although Nicol Stephen is rather lacklustre.I think that this election will be a great time for fringe parties such as the Greens and OAPs Party due to general disillusionment.Grant, Banchory |
| I can't believe the views of your panelist Philip Ashley-Smith are not from a party hack. The rest sound reasonable.David Chalmers, Glasgow | I can't believe the views of your panelist Philip Ashley-Smith are not from a party hack. The rest sound reasonable.David Chalmers, Glasgow |
| The panel have correctly identified the anti-Scotland bias of Blair and McConnell which will push voters towards the SNP.Labour have had the opportunity and missed it.The Liberals can't make a decision to save themselves and the Conservatives have an image problem that Scots despise so lets give the SNP a chance to show if they can do better.John Campbell, Edinburgh | The panel have correctly identified the anti-Scotland bias of Blair and McConnell which will push voters towards the SNP.Labour have had the opportunity and missed it.The Liberals can't make a decision to save themselves and the Conservatives have an image problem that Scots despise so lets give the SNP a chance to show if they can do better.John Campbell, Edinburgh |
| Disrupt the status quo by voting SNP? The only party with a really fresh way of approaching the problems we face is the Scottish Green Party. Only the Greens take climate change to the heart of all policy areas, tacking injustice whether social or environmental. I'll be voting for them on the regional vote and for the Council. Ben Mller, Edinburgh | Disrupt the status quo by voting SNP? The only party with a really fresh way of approaching the problems we face is the Scottish Green Party. Only the Greens take climate change to the heart of all policy areas, tacking injustice whether social or environmental. I'll be voting for them on the regional vote and for the Council. Ben Mller, Edinburgh |
| The likes of the Daily Record have been so scare mungering over the snp and very unbalanced in its reporting on the election, i am not against labour and understand this is a labour supporting paper but i believe the records biased reporting will backfire against labour, and encourage more people to consider the snp.steve, aberdeen | The likes of the Daily Record have been so scare mungering over the snp and very unbalanced in its reporting on the election, i am not against labour and understand this is a labour supporting paper but i believe the records biased reporting will backfire against labour, and encourage more people to consider the snp.steve, aberdeen |
| Scotland will never reach political maturity until we have a Government that dosn't involve the mediocre Labour Party. I will be voting for the SNP and Scotland's future.Labour are yesterdays men and women.They have stifled this Country's prospects for too long.Gordon Clarkson, Edonburgh,Scotland | Scotland will never reach political maturity until we have a Government that dosn't involve the mediocre Labour Party. I will be voting for the SNP and Scotland's future.Labour are yesterdays men and women.They have stifled this Country's prospects for too long.Gordon Clarkson, Edonburgh,Scotland |
| It's a tragedy of the human condition that it seems so much easier for people to separate themselves from one and other rather than to try and be as one with their fellow humans. The acheivments of this country (Britain) over the last 300 years far outweigh it's problems and as we begin the new millenium I can't help feeling that people are letting their respective differences endanger future progress - or worse still take us backwards. This is an issue which affects the English, Welsh and Scottish. I despair at the actions of the current government which have damaged some of the most important values that British people hold close, certainly in the most recent term and put the integrity of the UK at risk in so doing. I sincerely hope the SNP and Plaid Cymru don't get what they want after the May elections and that the surviving UK government (if there is one) wake up and actually take their own country more seriously.Gareth, Aberystwyth, Wales | It's a tragedy of the human condition that it seems so much easier for people to separate themselves from one and other rather than to try and be as one with their fellow humans. The acheivments of this country (Britain) over the last 300 years far outweigh it's problems and as we begin the new millenium I can't help feeling that people are letting their respective differences endanger future progress - or worse still take us backwards. This is an issue which affects the English, Welsh and Scottish. I despair at the actions of the current government which have damaged some of the most important values that British people hold close, certainly in the most recent term and put the integrity of the UK at risk in so doing. I sincerely hope the SNP and Plaid Cymru don't get what they want after the May elections and that the surviving UK government (if there is one) wake up and actually take their own country more seriously.Gareth, Aberystwyth, Wales |
| The bedrock of the Nationalists is anti-monarchy, anti english, not a positive dynamic outlook, but one of dislike, not of appreciation of all that is good, so should be taken aboard. At least now they realise businesses have to be given help. I'm a Scot and pro Scot but think it retrogressive to break up. There is enough of that in the world.Blair of course is a no-go. McConnel is not an attractive-looking or sounding man, but much of what he's done is okay, except they do not realise we have to depend on vibrant businesses to get in the monies to give to those in need and what have they done for this? The bedrock of Liberals is spend spend spend and with 51 percent of Scots on the governemnt payroll who pays? HOW CAN WE PAY FOR GIVING EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE? Tories are a very unknown quantity. I admit to liking Annabel Goldie, heaven knows why, but what are they aiming to do? Why can't Liberals and Labour realise they rely on businesses to keep the economy going and we absolutely agree on a fair society, but there is not enough money for everything and they should not be so afraid of being unpopular that they cannot clearly say there is only enough money for THIS and not for THAT. And give clear and properly reasoned arguments for this decision? Who to vote for? I don't know!rosemary Morton, MONTROSE,Scotland | The bedrock of the Nationalists is anti-monarchy, anti english, not a positive dynamic outlook, but one of dislike, not of appreciation of all that is good, so should be taken aboard. At least now they realise businesses have to be given help. I'm a Scot and pro Scot but think it retrogressive to break up. There is enough of that in the world.Blair of course is a no-go. McConnel is not an attractive-looking or sounding man, but much of what he's done is okay, except they do not realise we have to depend on vibrant businesses to get in the monies to give to those in need and what have they done for this? The bedrock of Liberals is spend spend spend and with 51 percent of Scots on the governemnt payroll who pays? HOW CAN WE PAY FOR GIVING EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE? Tories are a very unknown quantity. I admit to liking Annabel Goldie, heaven knows why, but what are they aiming to do? Why can't Liberals and Labour realise they rely on businesses to keep the economy going and we absolutely agree on a fair society, but there is not enough money for everything and they should not be so afraid of being unpopular that they cannot clearly say there is only enough money for THIS and not for THAT. And give clear and properly reasoned arguments for this decision? Who to vote for? I don't know!rosemary Morton, MONTROSE,Scotland |
| I've absolutely had it with Labour. Our country kept them in power down south despite the votes from English Conservatives. They have been an absolute joke and continue to "invest" billions in a war which has killed thousands of innocent people for what, a few barrels of oil that the USA may throw our way! The money wasted on Iraq would have been better spent here in Scotland and the UK. The bile I have heard directed at the SNP has only reinforced my desire to get Labour out of Scotland and the SNP in. Good luck Mr.Salmond, you have my vote and my trust in your party to deliver policies in Scotland, for Scotland.Kevin Littlejohns, Edinburgh, Scotland | I've absolutely had it with Labour. Our country kept them in power down south despite the votes from English Conservatives. They have been an absolute joke and continue to "invest" billions in a war which has killed thousands of innocent people for what, a few barrels of oil that the USA may throw our way! The money wasted on Iraq would have been better spent here in Scotland and the UK. The bile I have heard directed at the SNP has only reinforced my desire to get Labour out of Scotland and the SNP in. Good luck Mr.Salmond, you have my vote and my trust in your party to deliver policies in Scotland, for Scotland.Kevin Littlejohns, Edinburgh, Scotland |
| I will be voting for the SNP next Thursday, as they are the only party to have Scotland at the heart of every policy, not what is dictated by London. What must be noted, this election is not about independence, its about choice between a continuation of the Lib/Lab consortium or an opportunity for change and to take Scotland forward. It will also give the people of Scotland a voice on independence thru a referendum.Scott Gemmell, Lesmahagow | I will be voting for the SNP next Thursday, as they are the only party to have Scotland at the heart of every policy, not what is dictated by London. What must be noted, this election is not about independence, its about choice between a continuation of the Lib/Lab consortium or an opportunity for change and to take Scotland forward. It will also give the people of Scotland a voice on independence thru a referendum.Scott Gemmell, Lesmahagow |
| OK let Scots go it alone. let them forget the words "united we stand, devided we fall" let them face the fact that VAT will have to increase to 25%, and a raft of other indirect taxes, will also hit Scottish pockets, just for the Nation to stand still. The SNP is a one and half man band! It does not have the managerial talent to run the country (not yet, at least) the SNP will no doubt gain a victory, but come the following election, they will loose, of that there is no doubt, they will be exposed for total mismanagement. The Scots will, see reason in the end, and the UK will once again become one of the greatest nations in the World.MarkElgin Mark, Elgin | OK let Scots go it alone. let them forget the words "united we stand, devided we fall" let them face the fact that VAT will have to increase to 25%, and a raft of other indirect taxes, will also hit Scottish pockets, just for the Nation to stand still. The SNP is a one and half man band! It does not have the managerial talent to run the country (not yet, at least) the SNP will no doubt gain a victory, but come the following election, they will loose, of that there is no doubt, they will be exposed for total mismanagement. The Scots will, see reason in the end, and the UK will once again become one of the greatest nations in the World.MarkElgin Mark, Elgin |
| Jack McConnel along with messers Blair and Brown have convinced me to vote SNP next week.Why because every interview they give includes Nat Bashing!Danny McIntosh, Beith,North Ayrshire | Jack McConnel along with messers Blair and Brown have convinced me to vote SNP next week.Why because every interview they give includes Nat Bashing!Danny McIntosh, Beith,North Ayrshire |
| Shame on Jack McConnell and Tony Blair. How dare they talk down Scotland. All this nonsense of we what we would lose. Lies and bluster from two very scared politicians. Ironically both of Scots birth.Let's give the SNP the only genuine "Scottish" Party a chance.Bill Beattie, Carluke | Shame on Jack McConnell and Tony Blair. How dare they talk down Scotland. All this nonsense of we what we would lose. Lies and bluster from two very scared politicians. Ironically both of Scots birth.Let's give the SNP the only genuine "Scottish" Party a chance.Bill Beattie, Carluke |
| In spite of media bias against the SNP there appears to be a growing opinion in Scotland that there is a need to disrupt the status quo. A vote for the SNP is the only way to do that. The after you 'George' nature of the unionist parties and their constant message that the Scots are too stupid to be responsible for their own future would have all the Race Relation Industry in the UK up in arms if it was Kenya and not Scotland. Blair and Brown's uttering's increasingly carry the stench of fear: one for his 'legacy' the other because he may well go down as the Scottish PM that brought about the end of the Union.Peter Thomson, Kirkcudbright | In spite of media bias against the SNP there appears to be a growing opinion in Scotland that there is a need to disrupt the status quo. A vote for the SNP is the only way to do that. The after you 'George' nature of the unionist parties and their constant message that the Scots are too stupid to be responsible for their own future would have all the Race Relation Industry in the UK up in arms if it was Kenya and not Scotland. Blair and Brown's uttering's increasingly carry the stench of fear: one for his 'legacy' the other because he may well go down as the Scottish PM that brought about the end of the Union.Peter Thomson, Kirkcudbright |
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