WE know the importance of voting.
With this election in Scotland a choice between more Tory austerity and a brighter future in which we are cut free of the shackles of Westminster, registering to vote and then braving the elements has never been more important.
We have stressed the importance of putting a cross on your ballot paper, especially when there are so many key marginals in Scotland, with some constituencies tighter than the funds the Tory government has invested in social care over the past decade.
Just make sure you do so within the rules.
Do not, for instance, follow the example of one Jackson Carlaw, who has been left red-faced again after he posted a picture of himself outside his polling station today. The tweet read: “I’ve just voted at Clarkston Hall for @PM4EastRen. I voted to stop IndyRef2 and to get Nicola Sturgeon focused back on your schools and your hospitals, not separation.”
The trouble is, if a similar tweet from November 30 in which the interim Scottish Tory leader claimed he was sending his postal vote is true, then Carlaw appears to have committed electoral fraud.
Which may go some way to explaining why Scotland turned so blue at the previous election.
Either that or he’s been caught out lying for a shameless publicity stunt.
The First Minister responded to the gaffe on Twitter, simply quote-tweeting the images side by side and posting an accompanying laughing-face emoji.
Oh dear 😂 https://t.co/rl0QbJ3Zz9
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) December 12, 2019
Scotland’s Brexit Secretary Mike Russell then got in on the act, posting to Twitter: “Eh?? Surely not as voting twice would be a criminal offence.
Eh ?? Surely not as voting twice would be a criminal offence.
— Michael Russell (@Feorlean) December 12, 2019
Whereas tweeting something that isn’t true for electoral effect is just crass and dishonest…. https://t.co/KZdYiFbw4j
“Whereas tweeting something that isn’t true for electoral effect is just crass and dishonest ...”
Our thoughts exactly.
Carlaw has since explained that he had two proxy votes to cast yesterday morning while hitting back at both Nicola Sturgeon and Russell.
“Poor @NicolaSturgeon foolishly jumps on a bandwagon. I had two proxy votes to cast for constituents this morning.
“Both votes were cast for @PM4EastRen.”
“But then we know Nicola rarely bothers with facts these days.”
To the Brexit Secretary, he responded: “Even I thought @Feorlean was better than this insinuation.
Even I thought @Feorlean was better than this insinuation.
— Jackson Carlaw MSP (@Jackson_Carlaw) December 12, 2019
I cast two Proxy Votes this morning on behalf of constituents.
Will he and @NicolaSturgeon be as quick to publicly apologise? https://t.co/WCwTnMEeEb
“I cast two Proxy Votes this morning on behalf of constituents. Will he and
@NicolaSturgeon be as quick to publicly apologise?”
We’re curious to know what Carlaw is seeking an apology for.
When contacted for comment, the Scottish Conservatives confirmed the interim Scots Tory leader was voting by proxy for an elderly relative ... despite the fact Carlaw had previously referred to both of the votes as his own.
Many people replied to both of Carlaw’s responses – which both, at the time of writing, had more replies than likes.
Which isn’t a good sign if you’re trying to present a good Twitter game.
Many of these, rightly, questioned why he had previously referred to the votes as his own.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel