David Cameron's cup of tea?
While the eyes of the world have been trained on America’s bellwether states, Prospect has not forgotten that a “bellwether” by-election is also taking place in Scotland. Jamie Stevenson argues that Cameron’s Tories have most to gain from a resurgent SNP; even if this means a successful independence bid in 2010. And Alice Onwordi looks at the party most auspiciously absent from the Scottish fray: the Greens. Although the Greens have grown significantly in the last 5 years, with the combined threats of a resurgent BNP, mainstream parties stealing their policies, and their own hopeless disorganisation, they have a tough battle on their hands to remain Britain’s fourth party.
Plus, not wishing to neglect the other election taking place this week, Erik Tarloff will also exclusively report from inside the election night party at Obama HQ in Chicago.
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Assuming david cameron does win the next UK election. You fail to address the prospect that, with a first past the post electoral system for Westminster, and a four main-party contest, the SNP could win the majority of the Scottish seats with under 40% of the vote. How does the UK Constitution convention face up to that in world opinion.
A postscript to my piece about Scottish independence on Web Exclusive in the wake of the Glenrothes result. First reaction might be to devalue the whole question as a subject of potential reader interest. Phew, unionists will argue, there goes the Alex Salmond bubble, burst in the hype of its own uncontrolled expectations. But remember New Hampshire. The Obama team suffered a similar setback after whipping up expectations too high but still came back to defeat the Clinton machine. That 2010 independence referendum stays on the agenda. More relevant and topical is the second lesson from Glenrothes; the SNP and the Tories, whilst neither likes to admit it, are linked to each other. The forces that halted Salmond’s previously unstoppable march north of the border are the same forces now threatening Cameron’s overall UK lead. The unspoken alliance of interest in discrediting Brown’s economic record remains alive and more vital than ever for both Salmond and Cameron.
Interesting that the terrier-like English press have thus far overlooked the mouth-watering fact that ( Lord ) Peter Mandelson ( brokering the Lloyds take-over bid ) is a ” lifelong friend ” and former employee of ( Lord ) Dennis Stevenson, the current chairman of HBOS ( and chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission ) allegedly ” under scathing attack from Sir George Mathewson “.
Is this because Mathewson is , the article goes on : ” a close ally of Alex Salmond ” ?
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/uk/Top-bankers-lead-shareholders-in.4675455.jp