The BIG QUESTION: Is Scotland a one party state?


Why are we talking about it now?


Scotland is only weeks away from the Holyrood elections and competition for votes is well underway. A television broadcast on behalf of the Conservatives urges Scots to vote Tory to prevent the country being a ‘one party state’ under the SNP.


Numerous commentators in mainstream media outlets, along with bloggers and social media users have also claimed that Scotland has, or will, become a one party state because of the SNP’s electoral successes.


Is that true?


The definition of a one-party state is a country in which the single ruling party prohibits, oſten by force or law, any opposition parties or dissenters from having a voice. North Korea, Laos and Cuba are examples of single-party states.


Although some one-party state countries allow other political organisations to exist they are usually required to subordinate themselves to the dominant party and cannot function as an opposition.


How does that fit with Scotland’s current political situation?


Currently the Scotish Parliament is made up of 128 MSPs of which 64 are members of the SNP.


There are a total of 63 opposition MSPs made up of 38 from Labour, 15 Conservatives, 5 Liberal Democrats, 2 Greens, 3 independent and 1 with no party affiliation. None of which could ever be considered ‘subordinate’ to the SNP.


In addition, Scotland is represented


A television broad- cast on behalf of the Conservatives urges Scots to vote Tory to prevent the country being a ‘one party state’ under the SNP.


in the European Parliament by six MEPs of which two are SNP members, one is a Conservative, two are from Labour and one is a member of UKIP.


Only in Westminster, following the 2015 General election, does the SNP have an overwhelming majority aſter winning 56 out of 59 seats. Labour, the Lib Dems and the Conservatives have one seat each, although only the Tory MP, David Mundell as Secretary of State for Scotland, has any direct influence over what happens in Scotland.


What happens if the majority of people who turn out to vote all do so in a certain way?


That’s a one party dominant system. While one party may win all, or most, of the seats and dominate the government the opposition parties are legally allowed to operate, although their effectiveness is likely to be limited.


This is what some commentators appear most afraid of but it is up to each party to convince voters to support them.


Could a single dominant party be bad for Scotland?


It could be. Single party domination systems without an effective opposition can become insensitive to public demands if they are allowed to operate too long without being challenged.


Could that happen here?


Yes, but in Scotland there is a highly vocal media and politically aware population on social media platforms always ready to debate the issues from every angle and express varied points of view.


In addition the Holyrood process, combining a mix of first-past the post and proportional representation systems, has been designed to ensure there will be some opposition MSPs elected.


Conclusion?


If the polls are to be believed the SNP could win a majority in the Holyrood election but nothing is guaranteed. The electorate holds the power to return whichever party it wants as a government.


It is up to each party to make its case and win support. Just by them having the ability to do so means Scotland is not a one party state.


February 2016 9


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