Rampant SNP must govern for all Scots

THE past 12 months have seen Scotland’s political landscape transformed. We entered 2015 with Labour holding the vast majority of the country’s Westminster seats and we move into 2016 with the SNP utterly dominating public life.

The election of 56 Nationalist MPs – leaving only one seat apiece for Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats – confirmed that the impact of 2014’s independence referendum will be felt for a long time to come.

Much credit for the Nationalists’ success is given to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has emerged from her predecessor Alex Salmond’s shadow to stake a compelling claim to be the most capable political performer in the UK.

But circumstances more than political talent are behind the SNP surge. The independence referendum has left our nation divided along constitutional lines. Yes voters have gathered behind the SNP, while No voters continue to share their loyalties between the other main parties. The consequence of this is that the Nationalists are all but untouchable in elections.

It looks certain that Miss Sturgeon will lead the SNP to a third Holyrood victory in May; polls suggest her party will seize all 73 constituencies, leaving others to pick up seats on regional lists.

And while the SNP rides high, Labour – which once took Scotland for granted – is fighting for survival.

The party’s Scottish leader, Kezia Dugdale, is a bright and likeable young politician but she is no miracle worker. Her challenge in the months ahead is not to complete the impossible task of winning the Scottish parliamentary election but to see off the Conservatives in the fight to become the leader of the main opposition party.

Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson – unquestionably one of the true stars of politics anywhere on these islands – has given a most impressive account of herself this year. While Labour has twisted and turned, desperately trying to woo Nationalist voters, Miss Davidson has emerged as Scotland’s most confident voice in favour of the union.

For many years, the Conservatives were vilified by opponents who declared the party an irrelevance in Scotland but Miss Davidson has changed that perception. Her Conservative Party is refreshed and revitalised and she might yet force Labour into a humiliating third place in May.

Winning power and using it wisely are two different things. The SNP has, to date, proved only that it can do the former. And so, in 2016, the challenge for the First Minister will be to prove that she cares about more than breaking up the UK.

The majority of Scots remain in favour of the union and, if Miss Sturgeon is to serve those voters well, she will have to tackle ongoing failings in the NHS and falling standards in school, as well as dealing with festering scandals in her own party.

Two MPs, elected as representatives of the SNP remain suspended by the party and police investigations may yet lead to embarrassing court cases.

The First Minister must also play her part in restoring confidence in Police Scotland. The appointment of Philip Gormley to replace Sir Stephen House as Chief Constable is a significant step, but there is a way to go before the national force – hit by scandals over armed patrols, spying on journalists and the handling of high-profile cases – convinces us it is truly fit for purpose.

Despite the constant refrain from SNP politicians that Westminster drags Scotland down, the truth is that wise decisions by the UK Government mean Holyrood is, financially, in relatively good health. As we welcome the new year, we hope the First Minister is able to recognise the opportunities these circumstances present, not just for the SNP but for all Scots.