Voters' Panel - Election results

The BBC Scotland news website asked a panel of voters to share their views, predictions and conclusions on the Scottish elections.

Here, the panellists reveal how they voted.

Tina Watkins Muir of Ord "I was disappointed the Green Party did so badly" Andrew Palmer Western Isles "At least we didn't have electronic voting machines as well" Alex Browne Linlithgow "The SNP got my votes on all three ballots"

Alistair Barclay Lochearnhead "Well, one has to congratulate the SNP for getting their vote out" Steven McHardy Aberdeen "I kept my original intention to vote for Labour"

The voters' panel was selected from as wide a cross-section of people as possible and may not be representative of wider public opinion.

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YOUR VIEWS

They should repeat the election since it was so flawed.
Dad/David, Santa Ana, California

I am an expat working in Malaysia and have been watching the elction run-up and results with great interest. I believe the Scottish people have made a statement but still show sincere division over the Independence Issue. As there is no clear cut majority in the Parlaiment I would suggest the SNP in particular and all the parties show they are fit to govern by using their term in office for the good of the people who voted for them. Perhaps in 3 or 4 years time the SNP will have done enough to merit an increase in seats from the next election to give the majority they need. Most importantly ALL parties need to remember Party Doctrine is not necessarily what made the voters chose them. The Parliament was opened with much fanfare and great ambition but in reality has not really achieved its true potential with too much being decided purely on 'The Party Line' rather than what is best for Scotland as a whole.
Eric Summers, Lumut, Malaysia

The LibDems having flopped at the election (remember their boasts that they were going to be the biggest party) are now making fools of themselves. If this is a London's behest their stock will fall even further. Remember they were a distant fourth in the elction. I think their level of support is now plummeting even further
Dave Hill, Dunoon, Argyll

Johnpaul McCabe should study the results more closely. He will see that, compared to actual votes received on the Constituency vote, Labour in Glasgow were VASTLY over represented. That is EXACTLY why a fair voting system was introduced. I also think the SNP should drop the referendum and get on with the job of running the country. Only then will the Scottish people be able to trust them with more power.
Hugh McNeill, Oban, Scotland

i think the SNP would have more votes if they dropped this dangerous independence idea. also no party can claim a majority when compared with the combined totals of the other parties that includes SNP who like to say 'the people have spoken'
andy, falkirk scotland

what about the farce of the miscount in Highland? This has hardly been mentioned. If this hadn't been challenged there would have been two more labour msps.
harry, inverness

It's been quite a remarkable result. People outside Scotland find it difficult to understand how a "nationalist" party can do so well in a western democratic society. We are actually quite proud of belonging to a country which can raise itself above the frankly boring and meaningless platitudes of normal party politics. Burns vindicated once again. The worry now is that Scots fall into the trap of losing sight of the bigger picture. Surely after several centuries of fighting amongst each other over matters which turn out to be of little consequence in the greater scheme of things, we can now concentrate on what is really important for the people who live in and who love this country. Labour, Lib-Dem, Conservative - what is the point of any differences there might be in these parties' agendas? Very little as far as most ordinary people are concerned. If these politicians really want to do something for their country, as opposed for their party based in some other plac! e many hundreds of miles distant, they should listen to what their constituents want and deliver the goods. It is so amazing to wake up every day now and realise that so many people in Scotland, even with thousands of "spoilt votes", decided that there has to be another way for an individual to relate to the state - a way which bypasses the tedious predicability of party politics. Thank you very much, SNP, for giving the people of Scotland this choice.
cath martin, hannover, germany

As a Labour voter - i'm disgusted with the election. SNP and Alex Sammond in power to be honest frightens me. Has Scotland lost it's marbles. The debacle with the votes shows that this parliament is a sham - there is two choices either devolve back to westminster and get rid of the scottish parliament or go back to the polls in June and sort this mess out. The SNP are the worse thing to happen to Scotland.
Liam, Coatbridge

I'm afraid my respect for the Lib Dems has gone down after the decision to block a referendum. If they believe that independance is not the will of the people, what have they to fear? My vote is going elsewhere in future.
John MacGregor, Dumbarton

Craig Cockburn and Robert Knight - you have summed up my thoughts exactly. It is entirely undemocratic for all the parties to refuse us the right to choose. If, like Neil says, the public voted to retain the Union, then what is the problem with putting it to a clear vote? It is an outrage the lengths the other parties are going to to deny us the right to choose.
,

The Liberals should drop the Democrat part of their name as they do not support democracy for the Scottish people. They are the 4th party in Scotland behind the Tories which in Scotland speaks volumes about them. Who are they to dictate that the SNP should drop their main policy before negotiations even begin. I hope they fade into oblivion in the back benches.
Nick, Ellon, Scotland

The reality of the situation is that the SNP only have 47 seats out of 129 in the Scottish Parliament. Not counting the Greens, who may sign up with the SNP, there are 79 MSPs against splitting up the union. This is hardly a mandate for even beginning to ask people to vote for separatism in a referendum and I totally fail to understand why the Libdems should be blamed for not propping up Alex Salmond. If Alex Salmond is such a good thing, he has to prove it during the next four years and then, maybe, he will gain a mandate for his separatist policy.
Jenny Mollison, Musselburgh

I agree with some of your panelists. What are the Lib Dems and Labour so afraid of. The the Scottish people might actually vote for independence. If they are so sure that people dont want it lets have the referendum. Let the people decide and then the politicians can get on with running the other things that matter in our country.
Andrew Kean, Glasgow, Scotland

Don't you just wish these so-called Labour "politicians" would stop acting like spoilt brats and accept that the electorate - (yes, that's right, Labour, remember all those people who voted for this result???) have expressed their desire for a change in government? It's absolutely pathetic to see them plotting and scheming to try to bend this into a victory for Labour. They are so locked into their own self-obsessed little world of power-economics that they seem to have forgotten it's the PEOPLE they are trying to cheat out of their due, not the SNP! It's absolutely stomach-turning to see - and I for one wouldn't mind if they succeeded in having the election rerun. I am sure the sense of fair play shared by the vast majority of the people of Scotland would see to it that the SNP was returned with enough votes to turn Jack McConnell into the Scottish Parliament tea boy - which on this showing is more than he actually deserves.
David McDowell, Lockerbie, UK

I'm delighted that the glass ceiling for the SNP, that was defeating Labour nationally, has been smashed, though obviously disappointed that a referendum looks unlikely with the make up of the Parliament. I'm disgusted, but unsurprised, that the wheels of the British Establishment - Blair, Brown, Campbell, much of the media & others like Michelle Mone (really, who?)- see fit to try & roll over the significance of this victory or cry foul over the slim margin of victory due in great part to Governmental (Douglas Alexander)ineptitude. What's worse is their tenuous grasp on the realities of defeat & democracy, evidenced by the the high yield of sour grapes pock-marking the pages of the gutter Scottish tabloids, in particular
Mike, Arbroath, Scotland

First off the election was about a wide range of polices so it was neither a vote for or against independence. If there was a single issue it was dissatisfaction with Labour's dominance in Scotland. Secondly, what a shame the Lib Dems who have been in two coallition Governments can't see the way forward to do it again. I think this is a poor showing for them. Stable Government is to the benefit of the Scottish people and they are letting them down. As many have pointed out, how can they have the term 'democratic' in their title and yet not trust the Scottish people to decide on any referendum. Particularly when the offer of a Convention to look at the issue was offered. Whatever your political colours in the recent election it is a vote for change and they should respect that. I would expect to see their vote drop even further next time. Perhaps someone should launch a Lib Dems for Indepedence (and for that matter a Scottish Labour for Independence) Party for the next electi! on as this issue is split across all party lines (although there is currently no majority in favour) but most are just too intimidated to stand against the party line. Time to stop being feart and get on with some visionary Government. We expected it from Wetminster in 1997 and were sorely dissapointed. People first,parties second, politicos!!
John Ferguson, Doune, Perthshire

I sincerely hope Johnpaul McCabe is not studying English at university. His grammar is appalling!
Aghast, Glasgow

Neil, Carluke is absolutely correct. If people cannot read and understand the instructions they have only themselves to blame.
Alasdair, Lenzie

Nice to see the SNP gaining the most seats through almost identical circumstances in George W. Bush's election. Almost every SNP supporter I know is anti-American and slated Bush's narrow 'victory' under those circumstances - what will they make of this now? The election already was a referendum on Independence - and the people of Scotland voted AGAINST it. What will the SNP do now, and what will they do if they lose the referendum? We don't need the break up of the UK, not with 30 years of Northern Ireland and the events the Balkans still fresh. The nation waits.
Gareth O'Neill, Glasgow, Scotland

I wish Jack McConnell would stop trying to delay the formation of the new government. The people of Scotland want to see things move on as quickly as possible. The voting system was INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED to avoid large majorities and force compromise, so everyone should stop being surprised by the result and get on with the compromising. I also don't understand how Liberal Democrats can oppose a democratic process like a referendum. If, like me, they believe people in Scotland don't want seperation then they should let the people prove it by voting against it and so defuse this stumbling block to government.
John Rafferty, Glasgow

I'm not sure it's very fair to suggest, as some of these posting do, that it's the Lib Dems who are digging their heels and and preventing a referendum. The Tories have also ruled themselves out of a coalition. You can't expect a party to go back on their principles. As a Lib Dem voter myself I'd be furious if having said throughout their campaign that they'd not support a referendum they then went ahead and allowed it just to be closer to power. Nothing wrong with a minority government. It's out politicians responsibility to make sure it works - time for some co-operation and compromise.
Simon, Edinburgh

I had the same problem as J. McCabe as I too recieved two pollig cards, I can only hope than any attempt to vote in both constituencies would have been noticed and prevented, but with all the other problems of the night who knows. As for calls for a new election well, I dare say most Labour supporters would welcome it and SNP supporters oppose it, but the result is what it is, the SNP are deservedly the largest party as they ran a positive campaign which motivated the electorate to vote for them, and Labour in partnership with 'The Scottish Sun' ran a negative campaign to try to block the SNP vote, not by voting for Labour but by voting tactically in each constituency, so in my opinion Labor got what was coming to them.
James Paterson, Stirling/Glasgow

Why did the Lib Dems and the Tories even bother standing for election: I always thought that the whole point of running for office waso seek to form some kind of government. I was wrong, the Tories have no asperation ever to hold office per their leader and the Lib Dems have taken their ball home because the SNP actually have the nerve to ask the Scottish people whether they want Independence - sounds kind of democratic. At the next election the SNP needs to go after Stephen and his band of undemocratic spoilers!
Kenneth Lockie, Baltimore, USA

Evidence from mainland Europe shows that minority governments can produce good government and I think that, while it will constrain their short-term plans, it will allow the SNP to gain valuable experience and allow them the opportunity to show the electorate their abilities. I also believe the Scottish electorate have crossed a psychological Rubicon by voting for a SNP administration. And woe betide opposition politicians and those in the media who continue to belittle the electorate's choice.
John McDonald, London Uk

Despite the increasing use of proportional voting systems in the UK, the mindset of those who feel inclined to comment on the results seems not to have changed much. We still talk in terms of 'winning' and 'losing'. Yet how can we, in a system that virtually guarantees nobody takes outright control of anything? Parties do not win or lose in a proportional system. Only ideas can win or lose. Those ideas that garner majority support, can be carried through the Parliament and become Law. Those that cannot, fail. So, seeing as the SNP did not 'win' the election (they did not 'lose' it either), taunting the Lib Dems and questioning their democratic credentials for declining to support a referendum is pointless. They are not under any kind of political or moral obligation to do so. Nor is any other party represented at Holyrood. The idea of an independence referendum has lost because more than two thirds of voters at this election rejected the only serious party that advocates it, and nobody can claim not to know which of the parties is Unionist and which Separatist, not after it was made a key issue by Press and politicians alike.
Chris Townsend, Stirlingshire, Uk

I Would like to just point out to neil from bishopton a few FACTS which he seems to be unaware of. FACT 1. It is impossible for any party to get a majority in the scottish parliament given that it is a electoral system of proportional representation. FACT 2. Parties are elected in relation to the proportion of votes they get in each region. FACT 3. The largest proportion of people voted for a referendum on independence by voting SNP. FACT 4. Labour, conservatives and the lib dems set up the parliament using a proportional representation so that the SNP couldnt get a majority in a first past the post system. FACT 5. SOME PEOPLE DONT KNOW THEIR FACTS FROM THEIR FICTION AND SHOULD GO BACK TO READING FAIRY STORIES AND LEAVE VOTING PAPERS TO THE GROWN UPS WHO UNDERSTAND THEM.
louise williams, greenock

It is a pity that the Lib-Dems and SNP can't see a way past the issue of the referendum. Without the support of other parties, any Bill which proposes a referendum will not gain the approval of Parliament and the referendum itself will not therefore take place. The SNP should accept the fact that the numbers are stacked against them on that issue and seek a compromise. For their part, for a party with the word 'Democratic' in its title, why do the Lib-Dems have such difficulty with a legitimate democratic means of asking a legitimate democratic question? Are they frightenend that they and the other Unionist parties might not make the case to retain the Union? The SNP, Lib-Dems and Greens should just get on with the business of running the country. As for the referendum, come the time all parties should make the arguments for and against Independence and let the people decide - that is what is truly 'Democratic'.
Robert Knight, Prestwick. Scotland

As a Labour voter and supporter I am disapointed with the results of the election, but I do think it will give the party the kick up the backside that it requires. As for the voting shambles, if the public are unable to read and following instuctions they only have themselves to blame. Lets be honest if we held local elections on a separte day even fewer of the electorate would bother to vote. Would that give us a fair electoral result? With reference to the point made by Bill Beattie to "trust the will of the people". The people of Scotland voted on Thursday to retain the Union FACT. If not then the SNP would have received a MAJORITY of both votes and seats, but they didn't.
Neil , Bishopton

The LibDems need to sort out in their head the difference between having a Liberal, Democratic referendum with actually supporting independence in such a referendum. They would no doubt campaign against independence and that would be their right, but to deny the people of Scotland the choice is both illiberal and undemocratic. The Liberal Democrats signed the Claim of Right in 1988 and this stated "We acknowledge the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the form of Government best suited to their needs." Presented to the Scottish Parliament when it opened, can they tell the Scottish electorate why we are now being denied the principles behind the Claim of Right upon which the Parliament was founded?
Craig Cockburn, Scotland

Labour and Lib Dem will make the next four years as hostile for the SNP as they possibly can. Its not fights between the SNP and westminister we need to worry about. I fear for Scotlands politics over the next foru years and I bet anything that within four years people will be utterly sick and tired of the squabbling. When will all politicians realise that they shoul dgovern for the people and not thier party.
Robert Hendry , aberdeen

First of all I just want to express how pleased I am with the success of the SNP in this election. However, the situation is still quite confusing. Why don't the Lib-Dems just give the SNP their refferrendum and form a steady coalition. If being part of the union is really the best option let the people vote to stay in it, not to be forced into staying in the union through a lack of freedom of speech.
Euan Campbell, Edinburgh, Scotland

There is a clear problem with this election, the number of spoilt ballots, counting machines, and then the actual result! it is interesting, i wonder how fair this election has been. i am a student at stirling university, as such it seems i have been registered to vote here, i live in halls and the polling booth was here. however i went back home and voted, now it seems that i had TWO VOTES, is this not illegal? i am not the only person, all of my friends recived the same card. i have also heard of other students at other unis living in halls where this has happened. how is this fair? with all the spoilt votes, the illegal voting, i think there should be a re-election. also i dont find it very fair, the west region most votes were for labour, but they recived no msps, i know it is supposed to counteract first past the post, but its still not fair! i doubt i am alone in this view, also i doubt i am the only person to have realised the flaw, if i am wrong please let me know, and restore my faith in democracy
Johnpaul McCabe, stirling/renfrewshire

No conspiracy theory over the election shambles just simply the expected level of incompetence you have come to expect from Nu Labour in Westminster and Edinburgh. Maybe, in some small way justice has been done with the SNP taking the highest proportion of vote in spite of Nu Labour's failings. As for the SNP in a minority government, the Lib Dems and Tories will look incredibly hypocrytical if they vote against measures that are common between them and the SNP - it will be seen for what it is - vindictiveness at the behest of Westminster and do them little good.
Peter Thomson, Kirkcudbright

No matter what our critics say it was a great result for the SNP. It was well deserved, we fought a positive campaign focusing on all the main issues. No "Scottish" tabloids to help us!!Its a real pity that the Liberals are digging their heels in about the referendum. Lets face it, even with one they could campaign for the union during they next 4 year term along with Labour and the Tories. Or are they all to scared to trust the will of the people.
Bill Beattie, Carluke