Nicola Sturgeon ’s not kidding, a Tory leadership contest that produces Boris Johnson as the prime minister of the United Kingdom would put rocket boosters under her independence drive.
Brexit has so far not shifted the dial on separation. But Johnson in Downing Street could have Scots running to the ballot box to get away from him.
However, Sturgeon was not very shrewd in admitting that the catastrophe of the blond buffoon in charge of the country is her next best hope for independence.
SNP vote blow as poll reveals only one in five Scots want IndyRef2 before 2021
Wishing the worst on the country in the hope that it produces the best for your cause is not a good look.
Inadvertently, Sturgeon has also made herself the latest recruit for Operation Arse, the Scottish Tory campaign to block Johnson’s path to power.
The Tories have already argued that Johnson would be a clear and present danger to the unity of the UK.
If they need any evidence to back up that assertion they can now just quote the leader of the SNP, who sounds as if she would relish the prospect.
It’s not enough
In principle, John Swinney’s decision to open up a compensation scheme for elderly survivors of historic abuse is the right one.
Many people over 70, who were victims many years ago and have suffered all their lives, may not see the end result of official inquiries into historic abuse. They need recognition of their suffering and recompense now.
No price can ever really be put on the damage caused by sexual abuse but the £10,000 on offer does appear to be paltry.
Victims have been shocked and distressed to learn that their lifetime burden has been deemed to be worth so little, even when it is being acknowledged so late in the day.
The Scottish Government has to listen to abuse victims and their advocates and rethink this scheme with some sensitivity and with some substantive increase in the compensation available.
Wings of love
It took keen birdspotter Calvin Laidlaw four years to capture on camera his perfect shot of two mating kingfishers.
That’s a long wait – but it was well worth the effort to capture the romantic moment.
For this high-flying pair, love was certainly in the air…
