Re: It gets worse
Alba may split the list vote, or dilute it, although the SNP slogan for this election is "both votes SNP" to try to achieve that majority.
The SNP slogan is utter bollocks and the SNP know this. Or should know this. Votes for Alba - which will not be standing in the consitituency elections - cannot possibly split or dilute the pro-independence vote. In fact those votes could actually increase the number of pro-independence MSPs. Which is why the unionist parties are howling with rage.
The PR system for the Scottish Parliament is *designed* to produce coalition governments. The rationale for that is to end up with a mix of parties in parliament that's roughly in proportion to how people voted across the country. The arithmetic of this system means "both votes SNP" is pointless. And a lie because it probably can't deliver an outright SNP majority in Holyrood - unless nobody votes for any other party.
Check out the d'Hondt system if you want to know the gory details.
The SNP is saying "both votes SNP" because they don't want Salmond to become an MSP. That would make life deeply awkward for the SNP's leadership.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
