Idle Thoughts of a Retired Dominie: The Demise of the Scottish National Party

Some years ago, the Labour Party had almost a monopoly in Scotland. The Conservatives were there too, and some others.
Most Catholics saw the Labour Party as their natural home. The result of this, plus the vision of the labour Party as the "working man's party" meant that Scotland helped Labour to a large number of seats in Scotland, helping it towards national power.
Then, things began to change. When Mrs Thatcher came to power, her ploicies, her personality, the way she spoke began to irritate people. And when the "Poll Tax" was introduced, and trialled in Scotland a year before the rest of the UK, the outcome was the wiping out of Scottish Conservative MPs.

The Labour Party benefited from this anti-Thatcherism. The SNP was emerging at this time, but it was regarded by many as being anti-Catholic. So it had limited Parliamentary success.

Then later, another change. Labour began to loose its way. It forgot about its "grassroot supporters." People became unhappy about some of its Policies.

As far as Catholics were concerned, a major problem was Labour party support for Abortion.
There are many views on abortion. But what it comes down to is the deliberate destruction of an unborn child. This is a grave matter. The catholic Hierarchy began to respond to the concerns of their flock, and began to criticise the party leadership. This was resented, and seen as intereference.

As more anti-life legislation began to appear in the Labour Manifesto, many Catholics began to look around for someone else worthy of their vote. The Scottish Nationalists changed their seemingly ant-Catholic stance, and courted the Catholic vote. And in increasing numbers, those who had lost their trust of the Labour Party switched to the SNP.
The result was increasing numbers of SNP councillors and MPs.

With the setting up of the Scottish Parliament, the SNP took full advantage of the changing mood, and became stronger, while Labour was still focused on the long gone Margaret Thatcher.
At the last Election, the SNP did what had been intended to be impossible. They won a clear majority, and began their push for total Scottish Independence. It all looked to be going the SNP
way.

And then came the so called, "same sex marriage " issue. Mr Salmond nailed his colours to the yes vote for same sex marriage. Just like Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg and Mr Miliband.

The outcome was inevitable. At the most recent Scottish Council Elections, the continued expected rise in SNP power faltered, and the Labour Party reclaimed some of its lost ground.

There are other worrying matters to about SNP Policy. Reliance on wind power for example. Where will we get our electricity on a freezing calm winter's day?
And becoming part of the Euro? As the Euro faces disaster? When this week Eurpoe are pressing for a 4p a litre rise in the price of petrol?

I did write to each of the main leaders over the same sex marriage bill. Mr Cameron and Mr Salmond sent only automatic replies.

2 years ago I was becoming convinced by the SNP arguement for Independence. But sadly, the SNP are losing their way, and given their attitude to the above policies, I cannot in conscience give them my vote any longer. And, as mentioned in yesterday's blog, to have one of their members speak in the Assembly congratulating marvel Comics featuring a same sex marriage, is the final nail in the coffin.
Unless Mr Salmond has a change of heart, his dream of Independence is lost, and his grip as the First Minister of Scotland is already loosening.