Why do the Tories do so badly in elections in Scoland, and do they ever stand a chance of doing in well again?

Answer 1

Tories are by and large hated in Scotland, not least because of what Thatcher did to our country.

It would take a lot to change this - I don't think it will ever happen.

Answer 2

I echo mark's sentiments. I'm a classical liberal and a Conservative. Lib and Lab are social-democrats. SNP are a single-issue party; and it suits them, for now, to call describe themselves as left-of-centre, Lib-Lab-esque losers. I don't think the SNP will be the opposition for much longer than a decade. The Union is going through a shaky period, but it will survive. I think the EU will kill off the SNP. Once it becomes clear that the UK is part of a 500-million-man EU, the importance of 5m Scots becoming "independent" will seem faintly ridiculous.

I don't see why the Tories don't do better. Something like 40% of Scots describe themselves as centre or centre-right. The Tories are the only centre-right party so we should be gaining more votes!!!!!! It's our awful image that is to blame. We need a David Cameron and a few big-boobed blondes.

Answer 3

I'm a Scottish conservative. Joined them as I consider myself a classic liberal and they are the only real 'liberal' party left; Labour and the Liberal Democrats are clearly both social-democratic parties.

The Conservatives will probably not be the main party up here for a long, long time. But I don't see any reason why they couldn't increase their vote and eventually become the main, even if distantly trailing, opposition to Labour. It depends on the future of the SNP, many of their members are on the political right and it's always been a Labour tactic to dub them 'tartan tories', but the SNP leadership are as much social-democrats as Labour/Lib-Dems. So if enough of them get fed up with a policy of independence and join the rest of us on planet earth then that could swell the tory vote. After 8 years in government the Lib-Dems failures should make them a real target, so maybe Conservatives could jump to 3rd, though I doubt it in this year's elections.

Answer 4

They always do well in more affluent areas of the country. They are a party for the rich.

In years gone by they always piloted bad policies in Scotland first, such as the poll tax, and so Scots are not happy with them for that

Answer 5

They would be far better of getting shot of the ungrateful Scots and running England. Then everyone would be happy. The English get sound government and the Scots get their socialist paradise.

Answer 6

Och eye, ah dina noooooooo.