A weary government’s major ‘achievement’ has been to hide the cuts coming down the line
Returning to the question of why such a knackered government retains such electoral support – is it simply that independence supporters believe this policy trumps all? Or is it because many voters think that the other ‘UK branch’ parties would be even worse at governing Scotland?
How deep does any such ‘loyalty’ to the current government go? And, if misplaced, what might sap the strength from such an allegiance? It’s difficult to see how the likes of the media or think-tanks, as currently formulated, could have a greater influence on political attitudes than at present.
So for now, we need to hope that the departing SNP old guard are replaced by a new guard with a bit more spirit about them and a yearning to make a difference, rather than simply to stay in power. Which seems a pretty faint hope.