So? It's still not an official poll and we have no information regarding how the sample was selected or the questionnaire was actually used. As I said it cannot be treated without reservation. Interesting that Ashcrofts client for this research is not identified.
I saw this on another site earlier and weirdly some of the stats have now been changed on the PDF as I thought I was going mad, as the figures I saw earlier had the 18-24 vote as an overall no, it's now changed to a yes? I've been back to the other site to check the sample size in the top right and it's the same but the overall figures are different. I think your scepticism is therefore probably well founded
Did you know it involved references to events in Dunblane where he grew up? And it won't just be for a day either Dave, people haven't forgiven him for his 'anyone but England' comment about football.
Earlier this week an 18 yo got pissed and fell off the tow path of the River Avon in Bath. That's tragic and very sad. Now there's mass demonstrations regarding the council's inability to ensure that barriers are sufficient to prevent such an accident. But nobody said that the young man should not have got himself so pissed! Marray is no media virgin. He knew darn well what kind or response he could evoke - if he didn't then his 'people' should have told him. I'm not condoning the comments in any way. All I am saying is that if you put yourself out there then you must expect some reaction - just as we are both doing with our posts.
To be honest Tobes, Scotland is yesterday's news. I'm far more interested in how we go about devolving power in England and ensuring that England has a say in its own affairs. Somehow I think we have to create at least a 3 tier federalist system for the UK and a 2 tier system for England (with true power devolved). I know it's a rant but if we don't take this opportunity to break the stranglehold of the South East, the regions of the UK will just be allowed to wither further!
You're right that if he puts himself out there, then he should expect response but not someone wishing on him that he'd been one of the kids in Dunblane massacre!! That sort of 'reaction' has no place anywhere in any context.
The "West Lothian" question needs to be solved. Why should Scottish and Welsh MP's get to vote on English only matters? All MP's should vote on matters which affect GB such as foreign policy, EU, etc. But if matters such as the NHS in England or schools policy is being voted on why should the Scots and Welsh have a say. English MP's can't vote in their parliaments on such matters.
Labour would never get any of its legislation through the English parliament due to the electoral arithmetic in England. Labour needs it's 43 Scottish MPs to help get it's legislation through and this is why Labour will never countenance an English Parliament. We all know that politics is full of vested interests and an English only parliament is not in Labours interest.
I appreciate that, but it still annoys me. If Labour can't muster enough support in England then tough. It's the same for all parties they stand and fall by what they offer to the voters. An English MP only vote may well change if UKIP get any MP's because they won't be taking many votes off Labour. Theragain I think I'd rather have the Scottish MP's voting on English matters than mad , racist UKIP MP's
I admit to being a dyed in the wool Tory (I know it's brave to admit this on the Liverpool board) and it would be bad for our democracy if Labour didn't get the chance to govern in England every now and then. The major Westminster parties have painted themselves into a corner with this stupid decision to try and buy off the Scots without thinking through the consequences for the rest of the UK. The West Lothian question has no easy solution unless you favour one party government in England.
That analysis only holds true under the present parliamentary system in England. It is that very system that is now under threat.
PR results in madness, just look at Italy. Nothing ever gets done and they have elections every other month.
as you guys are still tlaking I am going to leave thread open tonight rather than what i said about closing. I think it should be closed shortly (tomorow)
I couldn't agree more The West Lothian question has been around since the mid 1970s and has been ignored pretty much for over 30 years but now you can understand why there has been no attempt to answer it! The status quo suits all the main political parties and let's face it Turkeys do not vote for Christmas!
Surely there's no need to close it. Surely it's ok to have a thread where us old bastards can slag off politicians and such like.
I'm just a frequent guest on this board so I abide by the rules but I agree that this thread should be kept open for as long as posters want it to be. Democracy in action without threatening independence!
