Thread by @ListVoteSense

Please, can someone at @theSNP HQ get Kenny MacAskill to spare half an hour to sit down and have a look at an actual spreadsheet showing exactly what will happen to SNP vote & seats if supporters follow his advice and vote for a fringe indy list party?

scotsman.com/news/opinion/c…

"Senior SNP figures failing to recognise benefits of second indy party standing for regional seats, writes Kenny MacAskill"

Maybe like anyone sensible examining issue, they actually did some data analysis confirming to any who look at numbers there are no 'benefits', only risks.

If I was an #SNP list candidate (especially in the South of Scotland, where the last seat looks like being a toss up between Tories and SNP), I'd be spitting blood at this dreadful advice from a party colleague, that would likely cost me my seat.

"There are good arguments to be made against new indy list parties. A plethora standing in every region, all polling low numbers, could indeed cost the SNP seats and harm the cause."

Good arguments indeed.

A plethora is what we're getting.

Even one siphons off crucial votes

"Strident insistence that “Both Votes SNP” always delivers maximum electoral success is arrant nonsense, denying electoral reality under the hybrid system."

Says one who obviously has never looked at spreadsheet analysis of voting scenarios in his life or he'd know that is false

"It’s also hypocritical insisting that there’s already a second-vote option available in the Greens. On what basis are they the anointed ones?"

Greens are "anointed" purely because they alone have the percentage support *necessary to win seats* - in every region based on polls.

"Why is one alternative vote acceptable but not another, and if there’s to be an option then who decides?"

The decision is based purely on the *electoral arithmetic*. If it wasn't the Greens, then whichever party polling at that level would be one to support in addition to SNP.

"These aren’t some nutter fringe demanding a referendum next month and implying that only the will is missing."

He should read what some of the list party advocates say on social media.