91热爆

And I think Jack McConnell and Scottish Labour are going to feel that wind "right up 'em"

I didn't know the origin of the quote, so thanks for this Brian.

It's great to have your expertise here on the blog as well as on the TV!

I agree with Lucy, Brian is a brilliant person to have on here and the 91热爆 Scotland would be lost without him. That man's a genius!

Well seen you are putting those comments from Lucy and teuchter, must be nice to be appreciated at half 3 in the morning!

Glad to see you've kept the tie on this evening Brian, not like the other night!

Am loving the braces too!

Well done Alex.
Think the coverage is great.
You should convince your bosses to give you some nifty graphics to play with brian.

The blog along with the TV gives a great coverage of the election. Interestng that STV isn't bothering to cover it!

My only complaint with 91热爆's coverage is the continued use of a two party swingometer to analyse results. It's clear that there are 3 or 4 party interactions going on and a swing is just too simplistic for this complex election.

This is turning into a love in for Brian.

Dunfermline relegated? Doesn't Brian realised they have brought themselves back to the bring of safety with the vital swing against St Mirren?

I don't understand this wind and hope as the night goes on it dies down into a mild breeze. This fascination that some people have with the SNP beggars belief

Was enjoying Brians coverage very much till his comment about 'The Pars' being relegated from the SPL. His politics may be sharp, but here's hoping his football predictions are way off!

His braces are ace mind you. A dapper figure surrounded by the men in grey.

Brian, just in case you're interested, a friend of mine (Airdrie and Shotts) tells me they were informed, in their polling station, that they should fold their paper before putting it in the box (he ended up in an argument because he knew it shouldn't be). Considering the spoiled ballot number in comparison to the margin of victory, that's an interesting tale!

almost fisticuffs in the studio there, keep that going!

I predict that the SNP slogan for the Independence Referendum will be on the theme of the choice between hope and fear.

I'll choose hope.

That particular chilly wind has been blowing from that particular bag for quite some time and has yet to muster more than a puff.

I'm watching this live from Australia, as I have just come back from time in Scotland and watched with interest the "wind of change" that was happening as early as last October.

Sitting here in New Zealand as I am travelling the world, with tears of joy as my wee part of the world Central Fife, finally votes for the SNP and not a monkey in a red suit...

tears from me too, a wee Dundee SNP girl, here in the Yukon Territory of Canada, particulary poignant as I just recently found out I cannot vote in the elections of my own country due to currently living "outside". Gutted. Whose idea was that?

Good Morning All

I have subconsciously been aware of a clearly increasing 'background noise' with regards to Scottish independence over the last 3/4 years. And in truth I have paid very little mind to it as I have been of the deep beliefs that...

A/ (Disregarding history) Scotland is physically part of 'our' beautiful island.
B/ As a U.K citizen Scotland is very much in my heart as source of pride, sharing equality with any of the other great regions/cities that make up our nation.
C/ Again, as a U.K (London) resident, I have been of the view that the Scottish slice of the produce from our islands financial furnace were actually (and strikingly) extremely (and don't laugh.....Lovingly) supportive/generous.

Having seen the results of the elections this evening and maybe more pointedly (or more truthfully) the speech made by 'Gordon' I now fully feel the (people)power of the devolution argument.

As such, my immediate feeling was...
"If the residents of this beautiful and historic region really, and overwhelmingly, want independence then they should have it. Indeed, it would be of an ever decreasing loss (financially) to the u.k mainland".

'Unfortunately, apart from the fact that we would (sadly)have a division (again) between 2 parts of OUR very small and hugely historic island, my cynicism has flagged up North Sea Oil and/or EU subsidies as possible brash (and opportunistic) motives behind the pro devolution argument/movement.

If I am wrong then I apologise (although you can't blame me for my power distrusting (pro people) mind). If I am right however, then I can only point out the following...

1/ The days of oil (inc. North Sea Oil) are numbered. Even if an independent Scottish parliament could ride a middle line between reality and current world need the risks regarding the value of oil assets are firmly and undeniably fixed on the downside.
2/ I know it sounds like a weapon (and I guess at the top it probably is) I am certain that any support/usage of 'Scottish' resources by u.k companies/institutions would, upon devolution, withdraw from the "cheaper but not as cheap as 'foreign' outsourcing options".
3/ (Again, disregarding the history) We, together, are part of what is obviously just one (physical) island.
The beauty of the Thames and the beauty and awesome power of the City is yours.
The riches of 'The City' are as much "yours" as the riches of the 'North Sea' "ours".
One can take the argument of complementation as far as emerging music! The U.K is an undisputed world leader in music and there is no doubt (or even questioning) that the voice of (if you really must distinguish) the northern part of our island adds nothing less than unquestioning and 'home felt' value to the collective u.k 'stance'.

In conclusion, I am glad that 'Gordon' has (powerfully) brought the devolution argument to a head in my mind. But subject to correction/argument whilst I respect the views of our citizens in the historically drenched north I can't help but feel that movement for devolution is flawed and that the normal people that have bought into it are being tragically mislead.
One Love

Darren

Here in Catalonia we are praying for a victory for the SNP - and WE can be independent of Madrid. We have 7 million Catalans. Now is the hour for the peoples without states in Europe to stand up.

Watching from Sydney, Australia, and desperately hoping for a SNP win. Go the Nats!!!!

LOL at those Scots of convenience congratulating the SNP form Australia, Canada and other places. If you had the courage of your convictions you woud be here voting for the future of the country rather than crying sentimental rose tinted tears over wee Caledonia.

Independence would be a disaster. Period. People who go on about 'hope' and 'fear' have simply missed the maths behind Scotland's viability as an independent nation. It doesn't stack up and never will.

It must be very exciting to have as a prospective leader of the Scottish Parliament, a man who comes up with 'Wind of change' to describe what might be happening in Scotland right now. How original! Does this mean that the battle for 'hearts and minds' has very likely been won too! Derek Crawley

Agent McConnell has served his country well. He has delivered us an SNP majority; a true Scot! Our 5th columnists in the unionist camp are victorious; let us all salute them...

Darren, Scotland is not a region, it is a separate country. It currently has different laws and systems in relation to Education, Legal System, Health etc and people see themselves as Scottish and would always refer to themselves as Scottish, not British.

The fact that you have referred to Scotland as a region, shows your total ignorance of Scotland as a nation and it is not surprising that the "wind of change" is finally blowing, for an independent country.

Even the posts on this board show what being in the Union has done to the Scottish people. The skills and potential of our people have been blown away across the world to Australia, new Zealand, Canada, Catalonia and beyond. I only hope the wind of change can blow some of this lost potential closer to home.
Darren, you give a very eloquent and fair-minded defence of a continuation of good relations between Scotland and England, and I whole-heartedly share the desire for these good relations...but not in a union, but in a new relationship between two friendly neighbours (one large, one small).
The idea of Britain no longer being a single country is the elephant in the room you cannot ignore.

Laura (no. 21) - you *can* vote so long as you were a registered voter in Scotland before you left for Canada. Ballot papers are sent out around a week before the day of the vote. Because of the time it would take a form to reach you in the Yukon (3-4 days, if the postal service is acting at warp 10) and the same time to send it back, it's probably best to get someone in Scotland to act as a 'proxy' vote for you.

More info on

for successive elections i have voted snp and had to watch labour get in again and again.

So congratulations to all within the snp from alex nicola and all the footsoldiers who never gave up.

today is a great feeling and can feel the difference in the air. our country now has a fighting chance to take our rightful place in the world amongs all other nations.

the people have spoken and the fib/dems should do well to remember this, it is our right to have a referendum and was in the snp's manifesto for all to see. if the fib/dems renege on this i know with this sea change they will pay a massive price at the next elections.

come on the snp and give us our independence. proud and scottish.
what a feeling at long last.

labours day are over, theyve had their chance and in front of the world showed theirselves for what they really are all about - theirselves.