Tag: SNP

Parliamentary arrangements after a Labour split might be easily solved, but bigger questions will be more difficult

Parliamentary arrangements after a Labour split might be easily solved, but bigger questions will be more difficult

In the post-referendum turmoil facing the Labour Party, there are increasing questions about whether the party might split. Despite shadow cabinet resignations and a Parliamentary Labour Party vote of no confidence, Jeremy Corbyn seems determined to hang on, and to force a contest if necessary. If that proceeds, a split looks very likely. But what […]

Desperate times and desperate measures: Could the UK force the EU to negotiate before Article 50 is triggered?

Desperate times and desperate measures: Could the UK force the EU to negotiate before Article 50 is triggered?

Many on the British side have suggested initial deals should be hammered out before the Article 50 process begins. However, France and Germany are set against early negotiations and now appear to welcome Brexit as an opportunity to pursue greater EU integration. Sean Swan argues that, with strong and coherent leadership, Britain could potentially use […]

How the major parties will face the EU referendum

How the major parties will face the EU referendum

Kenneth Bunker looks at the state of the major parties as they head into the EU referendum campaign, and assesses what different results might mean for each of them. Similar PostsLearning the lessons: What other referendums can teach us about the EU voteEuropean elections 2019: what will happen in England’s South East?European elections 2019: what […]

Nationalist parties face new challenges after the ‘Super Thursday’ elections

Nationalist parties face new challenges after the ‘Super Thursday’ elections

The various nationalist parties experienced mixed fortunes in the UK elections on 5 May, and all are now operating in a different political climate. Dr Kenneth Bunker assesses what challenges lie ahead for the different parties. Similar PostsEuropean elections 2019: what will happen in Scotland?European Parliament elections 2019: what will happen in Wales?How the major […]

The SNP’s radical constitutionalism vs its need to appear as a ‘safe pair of hands’ remains its key strategic dilemma

The SNP’s radical constitutionalism vs its need to appear as a ‘safe pair of hands’ remains its key strategic dilemma

The SNP won an unprecedented third term in Holyrood, but despite securing more constituency votes than ever before, lost its overall majority. Here, James Mitchell digests the results, and argues that the SNP’s strategic dilemma – simultaneously needing to appear as a safe pair of hands while at the same time proposing a radical new […]

Scottish Parliament Election preview: Labour’s setting sun in the West

Scottish Parliament Election preview: Labour’s setting sun in the West

The West of Scotland is, in common with the rest of the country, a region where Labour has lost seats at a considerable rate, with 2016 likely to continue the trend. Here, Murray Leith rounds off Democratic Audit’s Scottish Parliament election previews, suggesting that Labour’s sun is setting in the West. Similar PostsEuropean elections 2019: […]

Scottish Parliament election preview: Mid-Scotland and Fife have a varied political past, but SNP are staying put in 2016

Scottish Parliament election preview: Mid-Scotland and Fife have a varied political past, but SNP are staying put in 2016

The Kingdom of Fife is one of the few of Scotland’s regions which has returned a variety of different parties in elections both to Westminster and Holyrood. Here, Juliet Swann offers an overview of electoral fortunes since 1999 and details the 2016 contests. She writes that while a strong performance from the SNP is inevitable, […]

More female candidates in 2016 is positive, but not the full story

More female candidates in 2016 is positive, but not the full story

On Tuesday, Democratic Dashboard launched its data briefing on Gender and the 2016 Elections, looking at the prospects for gender balance in the Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and London elections in May. Here, Carl Cullinane summarises the report’s key findings. You can download the briefing here, or get the data here. Similar PostsWhat turnout can […]

Scottish Parliament Election preview: The end of Labour’s fortress in Glasgow?

Scottish Parliament Election preview: The end of Labour’s fortress in Glasgow?

Glasgow, sitting within ‘Red Clydeside’, has long been a Labour citadel, with the party historically weighing rather than counting the vote, such was their dominance. But elections in 2007 and 2010 showed that the City is nowadays willing to look elsewhere politically, with the independence referendum of 2014 accelerating the shift in support from Labour to SNP. […]

Scottish Parliament election preview: the last beats of a Labour ‘heartland’ in Central Scotland?

Scottish Parliament election preview: the last beats of a Labour ‘heartland’ in Central Scotland?

The Scottish Parliament elections take place early next month, with the SNP expected to solidify their dominance in the post-referendum Scotland. The Central Scotland region has long been a Labour stronghold with the party’s legendary and revered first leader Keir Hardie from the area. Here, Judith Sijstermans previews the contests, and suggests that this election may represent the […]