180 likes | 313 Views
Scottish Election 2011. SNP have overall majority. Using a system of PR (AMS) the SNP are able to form a majority government. The UK election in 2010 resulted in a coalition government. This is the wrong way round!. U.K. 2010 / Scotland 2011. What changes can you spot? Why did they happen?.
E N D
SNP have overall majority • Using a system of PR (AMS) the SNP are able to form a majority government. • The UK election in 2010 resulted in a coalition government. • This is the wrong way round!
U.K. 2010 / Scotland 2011. What changes can you spot? Why did they happen?
2010 voters in Scotland were electing a U.K. government. • The choice was Labour or the Conservatives. More most Scots this was an easy choice. • In 2011 Scots had to decide who would best stand up to the Conservatives?
A better campaign. Note that in the English local government elections, labour’s share of the vote rose by 11%
Share of the vote – what changed and why? • LAB42.0% • SNP20% • LD19% • CON17% • 2010 UK • LAB26% • SNP44% % • LD5% • CON12% • 2011 Scotland
Why did this happen? • TV debate. Alex Salmond seen as a statesman. • Iain Gray (Labour) nervous and stumbling. • People didn’t know who he was! Lib-Dem leader Tavish Scott has resigned and Iain Gray (Labour) will go in the autumn. Does this mean that leadership is a major factor?
S.N.P. seen as natural party of government. • Scotland seeking a strong voice against a Conservative led government in U.K. • In his victory speech Alex Salmond said his party's majority win at Holyrood was "a victory for a society and a nation".
Scottish Sun backed the SNP – a change from 2007 when the SNP also won! • Alex Salmond said that the SNP will “CARRY THE HOPES OF THE NATION AND MAKE IT PROUD.” • "I'LL GOVERN FOR ALL OF THE AMBITIONS FOR SCOTLAND AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO IMAGINE THAT WE CAN LIVE IN A BETTER LAND.
Use of celebrities • Eddy Izzard and Sir Alex Ferguson endorse Labour. They can’t vote in this election. • Despite being a commited unionist former Rangers chairman David Murray backed Alex Salmond. This helped the SNP overcome the idea that a vote for them was a vote for separation. • Actor and ex-Labour support Brian Cox was presented as an SNP convert.
Money helps • Brian Soutar was one of a number of people from the business community that backed the SNP. • With his help (half a million pounds) the SNP outspent their rivals. • Soutar also loaned Alex Salmond a helicopter. He looked more of statesman as a result.
Geography or class factors? • Rural areas fell to the SNP as well as cities. • South of Scotland blue but Labour held Dumfries with an increased majority. • Labour lost in its inner cities heartlands e.g. Glasgow Shettleston. • Note that two ‘naturally’ Conservative seats went to Labour. Eastwood and Dumfriesshire. • Elaine Murray campaigned hard and increased her share of the vote.
S.N.P. won because support for Lib- Dems collapsed? • The Liberal Democrats suffered – not because of their record in Scotland – but because of their record at Westminster. • Voters losing trust due to broken pledge on tuition fees – something that does not even affect us in Scotland.
Lowest turnout / Highest turnout(Glasgow Provan / Glasgow Eastwood)What does this tell us about Labour support? Labour hold. Turnout 35% Labour hold. Turnout 64%
Policies • While other parties promised a freeze on council tax for 2 years, the SNP promised 5. This will reduce jobs and services but no-one effectively attacked them. • SNP promised a reduction in business tax – this encourage support from Conservatives.