SNP largest party in local government

[Scottish_Republican]

Originally Posted by Gypsum_Fantastic

There was a political map in one of the papers the other day. Still, mostly red right across the Central Belt. The yellow bits were mostly north of Stirling. The blue bits were down by the borders. Perhaps Labour should push for the independence of the Central Belt?

The Central belt is the bit between Dundee and Ayr. In which case, it isn't all that "red".

As for Glasgow and Edinburgh, neither has been entirely red in Westminster or Holyrood for a while. The SNP, Lib Dems and Tories all have representation in both cities.

[Gypsum_Fantastic]

Originally Posted by Scottish_Republican

The Central belt is the bit between Dundee and Ayr. In which case, it isn't all that "red".

As for Glasgow and Edinburgh, neither has been entirely red in Westminster or Holyrood for a while. The SNP, Lib Dems and Tories all have representation in both cities.

Speckles of representation, I would describe it. From the top down, the country is yellow-red-blue, like a sticky sweetie of some description.

It was a smart move by the SNP to market their campaign as 'Bumptious Buffoon, sorry, Salmond, for First Minister'. I think the increase in their vote can be attributed more to this 'get Labour out' tactic rather than any great rise in Scottish nationalism.

[Scottish_Republican]

Originally Posted by Gypsum_Fantastic

Speckles of representation, I would describe it. From the top down, the country is yellow-red-blue, like a sticky sweetie of some description.

It was a smart move by the SNP to market their campaign as 'Bumptious Buffoon, sorry, Salmond, for First Minister'. I think the increase in their vote can be attributed more to this 'get Labour out' tactic rather than any great rise in Scottish nationalism.

Despite the fact that support for independence has been rising over the last few years, and is actually higher than that for the SNP.

And I really think that Stephen and Goldie would make great first ministers...

"speckles of representation, I would describe it. From the top down, the country is yellow-red-blue, like a sticky sweetie of some description."

Disagree - there is substantial SNP, Lib Dem and Tory presence in the stretch between the Firth of Forth, and Firth of Clyde. It is actually possible to travel from the Border to the tip of Shetland, without ever entering a Labour constituency. If you were so minded, you could go from Peterhead to Campbelltown (which is south of Edinburgh and Glasgow) without leaving SNP territory.

BBC NEWS | Politics | Vote 2007 | Scotish constituency map

Labour has lost most of Fife, all of Dundee, huge chunks of Edinburgh, and it's the east coast of the Firth of Clyde which looks like the Sweetie.

If you're looking at the "speckles", then I would list the following -

Aberdeen Central - (Labour)
Ayr - (Tory)
Cunningham South - (Labour)
Glasgow Govan (SNP)
Edinburgh East - (SNP)
Edinburgh Pentlands - (Tory)
Livingston - (SNP)

"yellow-red-blue"

Dumfries kind of buggers that notion up, no? Not to mention Tweeddale, Cunnimningham North and Argyll & Bute - all of which are yellow, and below the Central Belt.

"A total of 26 councils were left with no party obtaining overall control, while only Glasgow and North Lanarkshire remained in Labour hands.

"Labour was no longer the majority party in several local authority areas including East Lothian, Midlothian, Clackmannanshire and Stirling Councils."

Glasgow + North Lanarkshire do not the Central Belt make.

BBC NEWS | Scotland | Labour hit by council seat losses