How do you convince Scots the solution to the bitter divisions blighting global politics is to separate from England?
That’s the question Nicola Sturgeon was wrestling with in today’s eagerly anticipated statement on IndyRef2 .
The half-hour update to MSPs was dismissed in advance as a talking shop designed to mollify grassroot activists impatient for another vote.
Instead, the First Minister used it as an opportunity to search for a strain of Scottish nationalism that can still look cuddly in the age of Brexit and Trump.
The key words were “inclusive”, “respect” and “consensus”.
Focus groups have left SNP strategists in no doubt that talk of another referendum after years of upheaval is deeply unpopular.
People are sick of big dramatic decisions and desperate for a period of political tranquillity.
Scotland’s recent constitutional skirmishes mean the First Minister is also suffering from the law of diminishing returns.
Nicola Sturgeon wants second independence referendum before next Holyrood elections in 2021
During the first IndyRef campaign, every word Alex Salmond pronounced on the subject seemed imbued with historic significance.
Five years and countless statements later, the appearance of a Mexican spiced chicken wrap on the parliament’s canteen menu seemed a more appetising prospect than yet more arguments over independence.
Yet Sturgeon delivered more sizzle on her separation steak than many had been expecting.
The plans for cross-party talks and a Citizen’s Assembly showed the SNP leader is genuinely interested in ways of building consensus for constitutional change.
Nicola Sturgeon has to stop preaching to converted if SNP are to win IndyRef2
The grinding negativity of unionist parties struck a sour tone in response to what was essentially a plea to search for common ground and include the public in the process.
While Sturgeon’s suggestion another referendum could take place by 2021 is pie in the sky, drafting the ground rules for any future contest is just due diligence.
Cynics would say this was ultimately an exercise in kicking the IndyRef2 can down the road.
That may well be true – but the First Minister sure has some fancy footwork.
