How can Labour stop Scotland slipping out of the British state?

Article Abstract:

The political scene in Scotland is currently very unstable. There has been extensive media criticism of United Kingdom Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar, while SNP leader Alex Salmond has gained widespread support. Both the Labour and Conservative parties are losing votes in Scotland to the SNP. Under a proportional electoral system, it will be almost impossible for the SNP to gain an overall majority, but it may succeed in becoming Scotland's largest single party. It would then be in a position to seek links with the Liberal Democrats, who have many potential Members of the Scottish Parliament who are not totally opposed to Scottish nationalism.

Author: Macintyre, Donald

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The SNP will have to offer them more than a day trip to Belgrade

Article Abstract:

There are indications that the Scottish National Party (SNP) is beginning to regain support following some problems earlier in the campaign for the elections to the Scottish Parliament. Indeed, it is possible that the Labour party will find it difficult to obtain an overall majority. However, it is also possible that plans by the SNP to reverse Chancellor Gordon Brown's planned 1p reduction in income tax will alienate the party's strong support in some parts of Scotland. If Labour forms a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, then a new pluralist politics could eventually act as a benchmark for the rest of the UK.

Author: Macintyre, Donald
Government domestic functions, Political Organizations, Scotland, Public opinion, Scottish National Party

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Subjects list: Column, Scotland, Political aspects
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