Subtle collusion

Taking the lead from Iain Dale and Scottish Tory Boy, my thoughts have turned to the possible prospect of the Tories turning to the SNP as coalition partners to create a Westminster majority Government.

It's certainly not the worst idea on the island for the Nationalists. Having a wider platform to espouse the positives that an independent Scotland could bring while adding even more gravity to the already formidable Alex Salmond is an attractive prospect.

I would be very much in favour of it but, sadly, I don't see it happening.

The Tories have only been half-forgiven by the Scottish people for the wrongs they committed during the 80s. It would be too early for the SNP to brazenly become working partners with such a party.

Yes, they are working together in Holyrood currently, passing the budget together for example, but that is behind the cloak of 'minority administration' and on a case-by-case basis. I suspect in reality and in smoke-less rooms there is a lot of dialogue on a whole range of issues, more dialogue than with the Lib Dems (and Labour, needless to say) but a clear policy platform between the two parties, at Holyrood or Westminster, would undo a lot of the SNP's good work in getting their popularity where it is today.

There is also the question of the clause in the SNP constitution that states that no working agreement with the Tories is allowed. Of course the media would raise this but in reality this clause is as outdated as the bit of paper that said Berwick was at war with Russia. The only reason they can't repeal it is, it would run a danger of energising a depleted Labour party who would try to make an awful lot of hay out of it.

This subtle collusion between the Tories and the SNP is as far as the public and the Nationalist members will let their Government and their party go.


Further to the above, the Tories are going to win a majority anyway. I don't see Gordon Brown recovering anytime soon. The only balls he hasn't dropped is called Ed. His misunderstanding of Scotland and devolution is breathtaking given he has been involved in Scottish politics since his student days. I truly believe his psychological flaws will create a deliciously destructive force whereby he grips onto power with all his might while the New Labour Kingdom falls to pieces all around him in the most Shakespearean of ways.


The SNP will have to content themselves with riding high in a devolved Scotland and a Tory Government calling the shots down South.


All in all, not a bad state of affairs for the SNP so I don't see Alex's grin dimming anytime soon...