In May 2010 the Lib Dems joined the Tories in a Coalition, not perhaps the happiest of Political marriages. Nearly 13yrs on and the Lib Dems are just beginning to recover, it seems people have long memories!

In Scotland we have our own Political marriage between the SNP and the Greens. As with all Political marriages, there will have been a period of wheeling and dealing before the formal agreement. Normally the general public indeed even many members of the said Parties will not have been privy to these negotiations. Only much later will the penny drop. The cost for this deal will become apparent and many will not be happy.

At the formal agreement both Parties will focus only on the benefits, with everything else hidden in the small print! When 1000s of voters voted for the Green Party, being Green they would naturally think they were voting on Green matters but that’s not what they got. Similarly, when people voted for the SNP they thought they were voting for Independence or at the very least a Referendum within 2yrs. Again that’s not what they got!

So, what did they get? What has this marriage in heaven given us?

The GRA Bill.

Something that was never discussed in either Manifesto, although some would say it was sublimely referred to.

No wonder both of these Parties are haemorrhaging female members by the thousands.

Both have gambled with the Independence vote and both will lose because the issue of Self-Id and also that of women’s Safe Spaces are trumping that of Independence being delivered by either of these two Parties.

The Penny has dropped for many women, there are other routes to Independence, other Indy Parties, and other movements [eg, SALVO] with Legal Constitutional arguments that can grasp the prize. They may take longer to achieve but for thousands of women in Scotland time is on their side so they can get their priorities right, Women First!

Tomorrow they vote, yes they have the numbers but that does not mean they have won the argument. Neither does it mean it won’t be challenged in other quarters.

Nicola may have won the vote but the cost will eventually bring her down. Because WE will never forget and neither will WE forgive.

Our answer will be recorded in the next Ballot Box!