Chris Deerin is the New Statesman's contributing editor (Scotland).
Beyond the matter of national independence, Scottish politics is far less ideologically polarised.
In the post-referendum age, the party shows little sign of breaking out of third place.
The biggest empowerment of councils since devolution shows Holyrood is accepting it doesn’t always know best.
After Alex Salmond was accused of sexual harassment, his protégée, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, investigated him. The fallout has destroyed their relationship – and threatens the independence movement.
If the sexual misconduct allegations against Salmond are not proven, his successor will be left helplessly exposed.
The SNP is right to warn that a country with a declining native population cannot afford fewer migrants.
Such is the disunity that the Scottish party may even declare independence from the UK Conservatives.
The nationalists’ “band of brothers and sisters” attitude has allowed them to endure the strains of office as their rivals have divided.
If Theresa May truly cares about the Union, she must allow a Scottish voice to be heard.
Independence may not yet have majority support, but for many unaligned voters it is far from the unthinkable prospect it once was.
