tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post299051415210368835..comments2024-03-28T17:49:01.125+00:00Comments on Three Thousand Versts of Loneliness: Can Conservatives solve the Scots' Nat conundrum?Owen Polleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00567787385096905811noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-82747844925573484612009-05-13T20:05:00.000+01:002009-05-13T20:05:00.000+01:00Again, speaking entirely unofficially, I think the...Again, speaking entirely unofficially, I think there is method to the Scots Tories' apparent madness.<br /><br />The goal for the next GE is to maximise the number of seats won. Both to maximise the UK majority, and to start to make credible the idea that they are returning from the wilderness in Scotland.<br /><br />The winnable target seats are either Labour or Liberal.<br /><br />There are people who vote SNP (and also those who furthermore really want independence) who are actually right-of-centre on economic and social issues.<br /><br />The Scottish electorate have proved that they understand the difference between Westminster and Holyrood elections, and will vote differently in the two.<br /><br />So, with a Westminster election coming up first, why not play nice with the Nats and bash the parties they can win seats from?<br /><br />Doesn't conflict at all with voting down a referendum bill - everyone knows they are Unionists (although there is some confusion whether that is still in the offical name).<br /><br />And doesn't conflict with the likely position for the 2011 Holyrood election, which will be again not to enter a coalition but to seek to influence any govt in the "right" direction.<br /><br />The contamination of the Tory brand in Scotland was so lethal - much worse than in England - that there was really no choice other than the long-haul approach.<br /><br />I think it will take a good few years of a moderate Conservative govt in London combined with a moderate constructive Conservative opposition in Edinburgh before you'll get many Scots happy to admit that they're Tories again.<br /><br />I'm hopeful; there are some indications that the public finances may not be quite as bad as currently forecasts, so hopefully the Cameron govt will be able to announce some pleasant surprises around 2012-14.sm753https://www.blogger.com/profile/04474549226665639347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-30742966503769426412009-05-13T17:55:00.000+01:002009-05-13T17:55:00.000+01:00"Indeed if have misrepresented O’Neill or SU, I pr..."Indeed if have misrepresented O’Neill or SU, I profusely apologise, and stand to be corrected."<br /><br />No, you've got it right 100%.<br />Although it's much easier for me pontificating about the idealist solution, Cameron will have the actual job to do.<br /><br />oneillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com