To enjoy all the benefits of our website
Chris Deerin is the New Statesman's contributing editor (Scotland).
The former First Minister’s rage and clear thirst for revenge will not be deflected.
As our basic and shared humanity becomes ever clearer, even arguments about Scottish independence have been put to one side.
Tensions within the party over its future leadership and direction are at their worst for decades.
For the majority of Scottish nationalists, independence is a goal that overrides all failures.
The departure of the Scottish finance minister over text messages to a 16-year-old boy leaves the party firefighting on too many fronts.
Nicola Sturgeon must focus on governing and show that “patience and respect” are more than just words.
Increasing support for an illegal wildcat referendum is undermining the party’s attempt to win over unionist voters.
As well as forging a new unionist narrative, the government is expected to spend lavishly in Scotland.
The truth is that for too long Scottish Labour has lacked a leader with the necessary force of character and clarity of message to gain a hearing.
The party cannot hope to be more nationalist than the SNP, or more unionist than the Conservatives, so it must find a distinct platform and language.
