Scotland isn't a monolith where every resident is a card carrying SNP member hell bent on breaking up the UK and neither are we incapable of putting some thought behind our decisions and actions, so less of the sweeping generalisations that those living in Scotland are brainwashed, silly and somehow infantile in our choices.
The SNP has always supported independence for Scotland, so of course their ultimate aim is to see ...... an independent Scotland! They do have other policies as they not such a one dimensional political party, which is why they were elected twice in a row to form the Scottish government - first as a minority and second as a majority.
The SNP wasn't the only political party to support independence for Scotland during the referendum - the Scottish Green Party, the Scottish Socialist Party, even an offshoot from the Labour Party - Labour for Independence, and lots of people who aren't affiliated to any specific group, various activist groups etc.
The people who voted for and against independence had various (and sometimes complex) reasons, from one end of the spectrum to the other, like purely Scottish nationalism for independence at any cost to purely British nationalism against independence at any cost, with lots of nuances in between - principle of self determination like many other countries around the world, feeling that real positive progress would move at a snail's pace as long as Westminster held all the cards and purse strings, not caring much for the union as a concept but voting no as they were more worried about the economic and political implications of independence, or feeling more British rather than Scottish and wanting to stay part of the union and hoping that change can come from within etc.
So politicians, celebrities and the media constantly said we should stay, we were valued in the democratic processes of the UK, we would get 'significant' devolved powers (whatever that means) etc. So 55% voted No for a plethora of reasons.
However the behaviour of the Labour party historically as well as during the referendum has angered and disgusted many of their supporters. Most people have no confidence that Labour can actually represent and stand up for Scotland within the UK (or even ordinary people across the UK), as they seem to take Scottish Labour votes for granted and actually think they have some uncontested divine right to them - as opposed to actually having enough humility to realise that you need to earn votes not demand them.
And it is this void that the SNP cleverly fills. It is a sad indictment for Labour when then SNP, which isn't really that much of a radical party compared to some others like the TUSC, appear to be more left wing than Labour!
So if the Conservatives, Lib Dems, UKIP and Labour are unpalatable options for you, who do you choose to represent your constituency? If you are genuinely sick and tired of the way UK politics is going and want to see some real change in the political establishment, who can you actually vote for? It appeared to be either SNP or the Greens, hence the surge in votes for both of them.
Then there was the growing hysteria from various political parties and media, as if democratically elected SNP MPs would descend onto England, raping, pillaging and leaving a trail of destruction. Nevermind the fact that SNP MPs have been elected to Westminster before and their position on independence was the same then as now. If the Scottish MPs were Labour or Conservative that would have been ok I suppose. As long as we keep our heads down and do as we're told.
English votes for English laws? Last time I checked, Westminster was for the entire UK. And only the SNP have historically abstained from voting on English only issues, as a matter of party principle. None of the Scottish Labour and Scottish Conservatives did that though... probably because, you know, we're part of this Union people keep banging on about, or maybe they don't feel guilty or unprincipled about trying to have a say on English only issues, few as they may be. And given the current political structure of the UK, there are actually very few issues that are genuinely English only. Most issues have a knock on effect on other parts of the UK.
Union politicians constantly talk about how bad and evil the SNP is, as if a party that talks about reducing austerity is infinitely worse than one that seeks to crush British people with cuts and reductions to social welfare.
A party that has talked about reforming the election system, even though they might lose votes that way, you know, as a matter of principle, while the two biggest UK parties didn't want it because it suited them just fine all these years .... until now.
There are things I disagree with when it comes to the SNP and their policies, but seeing the Union parties hoisted by their own petard with First Past the Post is delicious.
And the fact that even if Scotland voted Labour, we'd still have a Tory government - which is what people in Scotland have been saying all along. At least now it is plain for everyone to see, even if they refuse to acknowledge it because it is easier pointing the finger at someone else.
However, all of this is overshadowed by the fact that this is a dark time for the UK, and it pains me to see the election result and knowing we all have some very tough times ahead.
Rant over. It's been building up for weeks, if not months
This was lucid and well-written, in terms of for someone like me, an outsider, non-Brit Canuckistani, to better understand the motivations of many who voted in Scotland. Thanks for writing it up
Topic: UK Election 2015