Brit-Nats Jump Down The Rabbit Hole To Escape The SNP Vote

Apparently the Scottish National Party received an electoral drubbing in the local elections held in Scotland last week. Or so claims the British nationalist media (notably the BBC), and the Labour Party, Tories, Lib Dems and just about every Greater England amadán-with-a-keyboard.

However, jump outside the BritNat spin and what happens to all those salient factoids of alleged SNP woes? From Newsnet Scotland:

“According to BBC Scotland, Labour gained an extra 58 councillors to the SNP’s 57 after Friday’s count.  However it has emerged that the more accurate figures indicate the SNP gained 61 councillors to Labour’s 48.

Others who disagree with BBC Scotland’s figures include Scottish Television who accurately reported a 61 seat gain for the SNP against a 48 seat gain for Labour.  Respected commentator Gerry Hassan also gives as the figure for SNP gains as 61.

However several national newspapers appear to have picked up BBC Scotland’s interpretation of the results and have reproduced articles containing the same spurious figures.

There is also dismay at the BBC’s apparent refusal to acknowledge the SNP as having won the election, despite the party winning the largest share of first preference votes and to have amassed more councillors than any other party.

Newsnet Scotland understands that the BBC has already fielded complaints by many viewers unhappy at their interpretation of the results, as well as other aspects of the broadcaster’s post-election reporting.”

Well all that sounds pretty positive for the SNP to me. Where’s this bloody nose delivered to Alex Salmond by the people of Scotland that the British journo classes keep shouting about?

And how about this from Alex Robertson:

“At the launch of the local government elections, Alex Salmond set his party two objectives: win the greatest number of council seats, and win the greatest share of the vote.

The results were better than that: over 60 gains, over 32% of the overall vote and 424 council seats.  A clear triumph in achieving the goals set.

Yes, the ambition to wrest control of Glasgow City Council from Labour fell short of hopes, although the SNP did gain seats again.  It was a very creditable performance and everybody involved is to be congratulated for a fine piece of work.

As the dust settles, it is early days for a full analysis, but it seems clear that the collapse of the Lib Dem vote transferred very largely to Labour’s advantage. Unionists sticking together perhaps, although it would be interesting to ask a few questions and find out what really happened.   There are a few lessons to learn.

Just look at the ludicrous situation forced upon Scots by Westminster control. The Lib Dems have a long history or support for Home Rule, and Lib Dem voters would be the natural friends and allies of the independence campaign.  But Westminster says ‘no’ and Scottish LibDem voters are left with no home.

Our job now must be to win over Labour voters by appealing to their sense of nationhood, and their good sense to see the wisdom and case for Scottish independence.  And we must do all we can to bring into our camp the many Lib Dem voters who have seen their natural home blown away and where a welcome awaits to those joining in the campaign for all Scots to support a ‘yes’ vote in 2014.

Only by reaching out to all Scots, of all political persuasions and preferences, persuading and convincing them that Scotland needs to have the power to make its own choices and decisions, in Scottish interests, and not to have our interests swamped by Westminster politicians, desperate for their political survival on English votes, will Scotland have a future all Scots can be proud of and share.”

The very embodiment of upbeat nationalism? Shouldn’t these folk be crying into their (Scotch) whiskeys? And now we’re told that both the Labour Party and the Lib Dems are biting their lips and making with the smiles as their new partner in local government across Scotland steps forward – namely the SNP.

Some defeat!

Related articles

• Labour and SNP to run Edinburgh (bbc.co.uk)
• Scotland – choose your narrative. (sluggerotoole.com)
• Labour and Nats join forces to run Capital (express.co.uk)
• Deals on the table as parties haggle over council control (express.co.uk)
• SNP won ‘remarkable victory’ in Scottish elections, says Alex Salmond – The Guardian (guardian.co.uk)
• Scottish council elections: Success for SNP and Labour as Lib Dem support collapses (scotsman.com)