Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #SP21
Most recents (11)
What's been the long-term impact of #VotesAt16 in Scotland? @c_huebner and I answer this question in a new study. Key message: There's a positive impact on turnout - but more to be done on inequality
Read the report: sps.ed.ac.uk/votes-at-16-in… 1/8 @d_part @shefmethods @uoessps
Read the report: sps.ed.ac.uk/votes-at-16-in… 1/8 @d_part @shefmethods @uoessps
Crucially, we found that amongst young Scots (16-31), those whose first vote was at 16/17, more turned out in the #SP21 #Holyrood elections than those who could only vote at 18. This effect is robust to including controls and also if we only look at 18-31-year olds. 2/8
In short: there's been a positive lasting effect on youth turnout from #VotesAt16, breaking the usual pattern of turnout decline in the early 20s. However, we see no difference in non-electoral engagement between those who could vote at 16 or 18.
3/8
3/8
The new SNP-Green non-coalition cooperation negotiations are an interesting evolution in Scottish politics. Their eventual outcome remains to be seen, but plenty to ponder. A thread. #SP21 heraldscotland.com/news/19332430.…
At first glance, this model could suit the SNP more than the Greens. In a coalition, the Greens might have greater influence than their numbers. On an ad-hoc basis, the Greens might also have significant leverage. By contrast, a cooperation deal could moderate that influence
While details of an actual deal would be needed, the SNP would secure majority support on particular policies (and perhaps confidence and supply?). The Greens would get more say in shaping those agreed policies, and potentially one or more (junior?) ministerial posts
Significant voter confusion in the Scottish election #SP21 has meant 2 @scottishgreens seats have gone to unionist parties & changed a media narrative that should have read:
"All unionists parties lose ground".
to
"Unionists hold steady".
With credits to @EuanYours @mehall
1/12
"All unionists parties lose ground".
to
"Unionists hold steady".
With credits to @EuanYours @mehall
1/12
A democratic injustice occurred at the European elections in 1994 when a candidate for the ‘Literal Democrats’ picked up 10,000 votes and snatched victory from the ‘Liberal Democrats’ @LibDems, resulting in the Tories winning with a 700 majority.
2/12
2/12
‘The Registration of Political Parties Act 1998’, was supposed to outlaw “the use of names in elections designed to cause confusion with more established parties”.
This law appears to not have been applied in #SP21
bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-pol…
3/12
This law appears to not have been applied in #SP21
bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-pol…
3/12
I don’t have any special insights about what is going to happen in #SP21 results but just some observations by those who think @theSNP need 65 seats ‘to win’
Like it or not we live in a multi-party democracy. That means Governments can take far reaching decisions on a minority of seats & votes especially at Westminster
In 2015 David Cameron delivered an EU Referendum after winning less than 37% of the vote
IndyRef2, mandate or not?
Three arguments here, that either a) you need an overall SNP majority, b) you need an overall majority in the popular vote, or c) you need an overall parliamentary majority of pro-independence parties. #SP21
Three arguments here, that either a) you need an overall SNP majority, b) you need an overall majority in the popular vote, or c) you need an overall parliamentary majority of pro-independence parties. #SP21
The first one seems to be the unionist argument (although I'm sure any mandate would have been rejected regardless). This is based on the basic FPTP system of winner takes all. That's fine, but we have a PR system in Scotland, so those rules don't apply. #SP21
But in reality, if that was the judgement, then the SNP have romped home in FPTP and there is a clear majority of those seats. This argument essentially ignores Green seats as important. #SP21
NEW: Early individual constituency votes for regional lists indicate that Alex Salmond's Alba Party is on course for electoral oblivion, with a slew of other fringe parties failing to cut through with the electorate. My analysis for @TheScotsman #sp21 scotsman.com/news/politics/…
In Aberdeen Donside, the party registered just 2.1 per cent of the list vote, and 2 per cent in Angus North and Mearns. Mr Salmond has put himself as Alba's top candidate in the NE list. If these numbers are replicated region-wide, it is not good news for the former FM.
These numbers, however, are positively buoyant compared to other results for Alba. It took just 0.8 per cent of the list vote in Orkney, 1.3 per cent in Hamilton, and 1.5 per cent in Clydebank and Milngavie.
SNP WIN! That’s the first SNP victory of the day!
Jackie Dunbar wins Aberdeen Donside for the SNP. #SP21 #SNPWin
Jackie Dunbar wins Aberdeen Donside for the SNP. #SP21 #SNPWin
SNP WIN! That’s the second SNP victory of the day!
@alasdairallan wins Na h-Eileanan an Iar for the SNP. #SP21 #SNPWin
@alasdairallan wins Na h-Eileanan an Iar for the SNP. #SP21 #SNPWin
SNP WIN! That’s the third SNP victory of the day!
@MarieAMcNair wins Clydebank & Milngavie for the SNP. #SP21 #SNPWin
@MarieAMcNair wins Clydebank & Milngavie for the SNP. #SP21 #SNPWin
#SP2021 | Analysis of the Scottish Labour manifesto: European and international affairs elements. A brief selection. Brexit happened somewhere (else) #SP21 scottishlabour.org.uk/where-we-stand…
EU | Scottish Labour says that Scotland and the UK should have 'as close a relationship with the EU as possible'. Which means what? Keeping the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (which is not close)? Rejoining the EU? Something else? Some measure of vision and detail would be good
BREXIT | Scottish Labour opposes using Brexit to weaken environmental standards and the 'chaos' for fisheries from the 'botched EU deal'. Yet, it proposes nothing on how it would approach the EU relationship instead. Brexit and EU relations are presented as a passive exercise
A thread gathering together core facts about the drug deaths crisis in Scotland. Following Nicola Sturgeon’s admission that she took her “eye off the ball on drug deaths”, just how big a tragedy has the SNP presided over?
#SP21 #Holyrood2021
(1/10)
#SP21 #Holyrood2021
(1/10)
Fact 1:
Scotland has the more drug deaths per capita than any other European country.
(2/10)
Scotland has the more drug deaths per capita than any other European country.
(2/10)
Fact Two:
Benzodiazepines are becoming used as a way for high-risk opioid users to self-medicate or increase the effects of their heroin or methadone addictions.
The situation grows worse.
(3/10)
Benzodiazepines are becoming used as a way for high-risk opioid users to self-medicate or increase the effects of their heroin or methadone addictions.
The situation grows worse.
(3/10)
BREAK: @AlexSalmond launches a new political party @AlbaParty.
Alba will stand candidates on the regional lists only. A minimum of 4 candidates on each list.
The aim is to create a 'supermajority' for Scottish Independence. But clearly could affect the dominance of the SNP.
The aim is to create a 'supermajority' for Scottish Independence. But clearly could affect the dominance of the SNP.
Salmond says the party will hold a candidates conference a week on Saturday. Candidates already include:
Ex SNP cllr Chris McEleny - @ChrisMcEleny
Eva Comrie - @mickbrick54
Cythia Guthrie - @cynthguthrie
#SP21
Ex SNP cllr Chris McEleny - @ChrisMcEleny
Eva Comrie - @mickbrick54
Cythia Guthrie - @cynthguthrie
#SP21
I'm certainly not unique in this, I rarely have time in any day to focus on distractions within sections of the independence movement.
I'm laser focused on #SP21.
But I will use this moment to make it clear that Tories are banking on infighting doing their work for them.
I'm laser focused on #SP21.
But I will use this moment to make it clear that Tories are banking on infighting doing their work for them.
If you are pro-independence, regardless of political affiliation, I'd advise it's best to do everything that you can to make sure that pro-independence voices are elected at #SP21 to ensure that Scotland has a choice about its future.
For me, that's by making it #BothVotesSNP.
For me, that's by making it #BothVotesSNP.
With over 20 polls indicating majority support for Scottish independence and the most popular political leader in the UK, we have what is without a doubt, our best ever chance at succeeding.
