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One thing everyone needs to understand about AFI (and he'll probably tell me off for this) is its interim leader - Ex SNP MSP Dave Thomson.
He knows his stuff on electoral maths, and indeed the entire movement owes him for that knowledge of that maths -
He knows his stuff on electoral maths, and indeed the entire movement owes him for that knowledge of that maths -
Because if it had not been for that knowledge, the first referendum would likely have never happened.
In the aftermath of the 2007 election, he literally had a hand in ensuring the SNP Government took office. He was an SNP MSP.
In the aftermath of the 2007 election, he literally had a hand in ensuring the SNP Government took office. He was an SNP MSP.
During the election, he spotted, and pointed out to the returning officer, that the number of additional members for each party had been wrongly calculated.
The initial calculation would have given Labour four additional seats and the SNP none, which would have resulted in Labour gaining a plurality and winning the election.
After Thompson challenged this calculation and the figures were correctly calculated, Labour was allocated three seats and the SNP two. This resulted in the SNP gaining a plurality of one seat and enabled them to form the Scottish Government.
Basically, if it weren't for Dave, the ensuing chaos of that election would likely have resulted in a bad start and a shorter term for the SNP Government (bi-elections and court battles), and that could very likely have derailed the SNP from getting a majority by fluke
(because it was a mathematical fluke) in 2011.
That's because the conditions would not have been the same and that fluke relied upon a goldilocks zone for the SNP. Not enough seats in the constituency ballot, penalising them less in the regional so they gained enough seats.
No majority, then no mandate, no section 30, no independence referendum.
So when people dismiss AFI, they're actually showing a bit of disrespect to a man who has built it from the ground up. A guy who, if it were not for his knowledge of the AMS system, we'd likely not have had a vote in 2014, and no majority for indy in 2021!
So just let that one rattle about for a moment!
So yeah! You're damn right I'm supporting him all the way with AFI - because it's worth doing to finally gain our independence.
So yeah! You're damn right I'm supporting him all the way with AFI - because it's worth doing to finally gain our independence.
And if that we factoid doesn't make you think differently about things, I dunno what will.
It's time to leave the party colours out of the independence debate!
It's time to leave the party colours out of the independence debate!
AFI has extended its hand out to everyone to work in partnership to maximise the yes vote and not tread on each other's toes, wiping out the "elected by defaults" that have stayed unelected since the inception of the Scottish Parliament.
We get accused of "splitting the vote" (impossible by the way) but in reality, we're trying to do the opposite. Yet those we've extended an invitation of partnership to, are strangely silent. We're all about the cause before party allegiance and will remain so.
And from that, we hope that the movement will lead and recognise a partnership, joining with us and then asking their friends, family and of course their parties stand alongside us, while also retaining their own identity.
So in summation - hey guys, we're all for cooperation - so how about it?
