I) The chief defect of all hitherto existing analysis
of the Scottish Nationalist vote in the general election is that the thing, the
reality, the sensuousness, is conceived only in the form of negativity, not as a sensuous human activity or practice,
not in terms of context, organisational development or even a burgeoning
political consciousness. Hence, in contradistinction to real analysis, the active side was developed
abstractly by negativity – which, of course, does not know real, sensuous
activity as such.
II) The Nationalist vote needs placed in its proper
European context; the growing rejection of established mainstream politics seen across Europe. But
the Nationalist vote was also, of course, distinctively Scottish.
III) It follows on from the credibility the SNP has
established as Scotland’s party of government or at least the lack of any major
feck ups since they’ve been in power.
IV) The independence referendum was also a big factor.
Positively, it converted a lot of people to nationalism, generating a step
change increase in political engagement and debate in the process.
V)
It also prompted a significant increase in
political activism with this seeing the SNP become the 3rd largest
political party in the UK as measured by party membership – this in turn gave
the SNP the practical resources needed to campaign across Scotland.
VI) Negatively,
voting SNP in the general election gave people embarressed and ashamed about
voting no in the referendum a safe means of casting a Scottish vote
VII) Voting SNP was also a response to how
Westminster responded to the Scottish referendum result and the bullshit that’s
so far entailed.
VIII) Nicola Sturgeon! John Swinney’s time as SNP
leader maintained the notion that the SNP was a one trick pony called Alex
Salmond. Nicola Sturgeon’s emergence on to the British political stage made clear
the SNP was more than one man.
IX) Nicola Sturgeon times 2!! My personal experience
of Scottish Nationalism is that it offered and offers a vision that women
connect with passionately, put simply folks cheered on Nicola and shouted at
Jim Murphy to get tae "f". And with 20 of the 56 SNP MPs female, this has already
translated into a new, more representative politics.
X) Speaking of which, the SNP campaigned
positively; whereas the Tories offered the chance for us all to put on an even
dirtier great big hairshirt. By contrast, the SNP said end austerity now (thank god)
XI) Speaking of positive vision, Scotland is more
Social Democratic than England. The SNP has for years positioned itself as
being to the left of Labour. By contrast Labour’s UK message was that they were
marginally to the left of the Tories – this did not work in Scotland because it
was not far enough
XII) This was also because of the mediocrity that was
and is Scottish Labour and the complete failure of their leadership to be
anything other than time served jokes queuing up to fill out their next expenses
claim – Johann Lamont anybody?
XIII) And then there was Labour’s approach to the
independence referendum; their focus on a wholly negative campaign and the
fact that by doing so they actively alienated themselves from their electoral
heartlands, which actually voted for independence (or as Nick Clegg learned –
voters have memories).
XIV)
To be continued
XV)
Also to be continued, ideally with mate chat and debate
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