change

Tomorrow the UK goes to vote in the local council elections and up here we also vote for MSP’s for the Scottish Parliament. This could be the biggest change in Scotland’s political landscape for many generations as all the polls indicate the SNP are likely to hold the balance of power. If they do they have promised a referendum on Scottish Independence in the next two years.

I’m not keen on independence, I can’t see the benefits. This isn’t an election on that though, this is about giving Labour, and in turn Tony Blair, a good kicking at the polls. That I totally understand.

The feeling is that the SNP are going to romp home. This will be interesting to see if this will create voter apathy, if it’s such a foregone conclusion then what’s the point in voting? The weather is also going to play a part, it’s going to be fantastic weather. Does that help or hinder turn out?

I’ll be glued to the BBC tomorrow night to see how it all falls. Either way this Scottish election has massive implications for the UK as a whole.

In other news: I’ve bagged a Wii!

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 Wii

5 Comments to change

  1. Hello Stewart-
    Excellent! I’ve been wanting to hear about your elections since I first heard about it on the BBC news report several months back. I was wondering how serious the independence issue was- sounds like it might be. I’ll be listening closely too. Thanks for the post!

    Kim

    2. Kim on May 3rd, 2007

  2. Hello Stewart-
    Excellent! I’ve been wanting to hear about your elections since I first heard about it on the BBC news report several months back. I was wondering how serious the independence issue was- sounds like it might be. I’ll be listening closely too. Thanks for the post!

    Kim

    oh, and congratulations on bagging a Wii!

    3. Kim on May 3rd, 2007

  3. Hi, dude!

    I’ve been watching this issue now actually since the late 90’s and early 2000’s. Was not sure of what you think of independence, and didn’t want to put you on the spot in case you felt it a private thing. Now I know!

    What I don’t know, and honestly would like to know, is how you got there. What were the issues that caused you to choose what you chose?

    Yes, this is a huge issue, far more huge than folks not keeping up with this can guess, because there will be a domino effect. It can touch so many countries in so many ways, many as yet unguessed. Some may find that hard to accept. Not me. The U.K. is very important to the U.S., and between both countries, enormous change for good or ill (or mediocrity) is possible. Also, I have watched Scotland over the last decade, and see a country obviously on the verge of something exciting, an era of continuing growth, even accelerated growth. I see more and more from Scotland all the time. In fact, I discussed this very thing with hubby just a few days ago. There are more products, more media, more Scots in various spotlights all the time. This trend has gone on too long to be a mere coincidence.

    I watch things change and grow. It’s what I do, what I have always done. It started out in my childhood. And while is it slightly voyeuristic, it is also highly introspective, reflective and very inspiring. And sometimes, just sometimes…it’s beautiful. Whatever happens over there, I hope it’s good, long and short run. But remember that you can’t have growth without growing pains. Your country has remained vital even during the worst times. As a people, you have survived and thrived…and that means something.

    The wildfire is still going. When I walk outside I smell smoke. The air is so dry, dusty, smoky and pollen-ridden it’s hard to breathe. I’d rather put up with the humidity. No rain in sight, and even if there was, it wouldn’t be enough at this point to make much of a difference.

    Rode down to Sunbury and Yellow Bluff yesterday. My God, but the money bunch has shown up in full force. More gated communities, more elitists, but also more economic opportunities. And that’s good…but…

    My biggest fears are locals getting taxed off family lands, some held by prominent black families since slave days when their masters left land to their slaves. These are very proud people and their names go back hundreds of years on their deeds. I would hate to see them gentrified out of a place to call their own. And poor whites are in the same boat. Once, only blacks and “poor white trash” lived here. No more, my precious. Oh ho, not so funny, that, when you love this place as much as I do. Let’s just hope some of these rich people care about what they are doing to our beautiful and delicate ecosystem.

    Anyway…I’ll be eagerly awaiting to hear what you say about the elections. Oh, yeah…how do you like your Mac?

    4. Pipkin Sweetgrass on May 3rd, 2007

  4. First, I apologize for my windy response. Blame the writer in me. But how did I miss this?

    “In other news: I’ve bagged a Wii!”

    Lucky dog! Congrats, and tell us all about it after you break it in.

    5. Pipkin Sweetgrass on May 3rd, 2007

  5. I know nothing about the elections here, I’m sad to report…but I am very interested in hearing about anything that may benefit Scotland…a land that has captured my heart so unexpectedly and completely. I will be trying to learn whatever I can about this…and look forward to your reports. : )

    Congrats on the Wii…hope it brings you many opportunities for SMILES. : )

    6. Shirley on May 3rd, 2007

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