There's a really interesting dynamic here

There are many people who, if you stripped her of her nationalism (which I appreciate is kind of the point of her), would have voted for her as a much more authentic socialist voice then Ed was.

There are also the centre-leftists, who are a different group for me, who'd have loved something in between Labour and Liberal policies.

Similarly centre right.

And non-c**tish right wing. Most of the bigots are right wingers but it's not true that most right wingers are bigots. It's entirely possible to sensibly believe in a smaller state, lower taxes and so on without being a homophobe or a racist. David Cameron is a case in point.

There is the loony left, best represented by greens these days, and loony right, best represented by ukip.

I can't help wondering what the vote shares would like like for a six party system like that.

The challenge for Labour is very stark. Scotland rejected them because they weren't left enough BUT England rejected them because they weren't economically credible (or perceived as centrist enough).

Do they break harder left (no majority ever again if they do), or harder right (risk losing their core to the Greens particularly if that party grows up a little: much of what they say is perfectly sensible, whether or not you agree with it, apart from the economics, which could be done better by any five year old).

Fascinating times.

Posted By: Old Man, May 8, 16:48:12