Unionist pact
These figures make it highly unlikely that the SNP will gather more than 50 per cent of the vote in more than a handful of constituencies in the upcoming general election.
Nevertheless, recent opinion polls suggest that the first-past-the-post system may grant them more than 30 seats at Westminster. In that case, a minority of Scottish voters may end up dictating the future policies of the British government – a government that the majority of Scots want, but which the SNP only wishes to destroy.
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Hide AdIt therefore seems logical that for the 2015 general election, unionist parties should form a pact to stand down in constituencies where they might divide the vote and allow the SNP to win by default.
If voters were given a choice between unionist and separatist candidates, it is highly unlikely that the SNP would win more than a handful of seats. The initial reaction of Tories might be to spurn an electoral pact that would benefit Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
However, since they are officially the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, wiser heads should realise that a short-term loss of seats is preferable to the long-term loss of their country.
Martin Foreman
Craigend Park
Edinburgh