So tell me, who are the major parties in Scottish Parliament, what are their major platforms, and who is the biggest bastard?
Major Parties:Scottish National PartyMajor Platforms: Independence, social democracy, pro-business, Keynesianism, pro-green energy, supports free university education, no prescription charges, no toll booths, stuff like that. Very anti-nuclear but pro-NATO, pro-Monarchy, pro-EU. Anti bedroom tax. Plans on big childcare program that is too expensive at the moment, waiting for independence to do so. Supports retention of pound-sterling as independent country.
Labour Party Major Platforms: Unionism, alleged "social democracy" (not really), tries to be the party of the working class, pro-business, less pro-green energy, does not support free university education, does not support free prescription charges. Less pro-austerity than other Conservatives and Lib Dems, but still pro-austerity. Pro-EU, pro-nuclear, pro-monarchy, pro-NATO. Anti bedroom tax. Agrees with childcare program, somewhat upset SNP thought of it first, demanding the SNP make cuts to other services to do it right now.
Conservative PartyMajor Platforms: Unionism, British-style conservatism/centre right politics, pro-business, much less pro-green energy, does not support free university education, does not support free prescription charges. Pro-austerity. Pro-EU, pro-nuclear, pro-monarchy, pro-NATO. Pro-bedroom tax. Unclear what they think of childcare program, seem to agree with it. Similar arguments to Labour on cuts.
Liberal Democrats.Major Platforms: Unionism, pro-business, more pro-green energy, does not support free university education, does not support free prescription charges. Pro-EU, less pro-nuclear but still pro-nuclear, pro-monarchy, pro-NATO. Pro-bedroom tax. Pro-austerity, exactly the same as Labour regarding childcare. Used to talk about a "federal" UK (hence why I used to support them) but they've abandoned that.
Biggest bastard? Hard to tell. I loathe 90% of them. It's easier to pick out the principled people.
There's also some minor parties that are worth mentioning. The Greens for one have some MSPs:
Minor Parties:Green PartyMajor Platforms: Independence, "eco-Socialism"/social democracy, very very pro-green energy, supports free university education and everything else, very pro-EU, very anti-nuclear, very anti-Monarchy, very anti-NATO, very anti-bedroom tax, very anti-austerity, exactly the same as SNP regarding childcare. Supports greater local government and independent currency for Scotland.
Scottish Socialist PartyMajor Platforms: Independence, unabashed Socialism, pro-green energy, supports everything SNP support by way of education/benefits but goes further and demands a free public transportation system as well, from ferries to busses. Pro-EU, radical republicans. Very anti-NATO, very anti-nuclear, very anti-austerity, exactly the same as SNP regarding childcare. Supports independent currency. Has no MSPs anymore.
SolidarityMajor Platforms: Exactly the same as SSP but anti-EU. Trotskyist. No MSPs anymore.
I don't know who that bloke is, but that is a good photo. I'd be chuffed to get holiday photos like that, you could cycle between historical poses every time.
It would be fun doing a Le Penseur pose in one frame then a black power salute in another.