I’ve become convinced over recent months that Scottish politics is by far the most interesting in these islands at the moment. In the wake of the SNP’s unprecedented election victory, this summer hasn’t really seen a silly season worth speaking of. Just in the last few days, there have been a number of developments worth noting:
- Alex Salmond has told his officials to explore every avenue to prevent the UK Government transporting nuclear weapons across Scotland. This story has potentially significant implications for Ireland as well.
- Wendy Alexander is to drop the New Labour title in favour of Scottish Labour.
- As Alex Buchan noted in a comment here the other day, Alexander has said she expects a referendum on indpendence by 2010.
- Former Labour First Minister Henry McLeish has accused his party of being out of touch with the political mood in Scotland. an aide to Scottish Secretary Des Browne has responded by saying that ‘Henry McLeish seems to be confused.’
- Labour MSP George Foulkes has claimed that the SNP is stoking anti-English racism.
- The BBC has apologised over its coverage of the SNP for the third time since the May election.
The undelying theme, of course, is the SNP’s attempt to strengthen the power of the Scottish Government and Labour’s divisions over how to respond.
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