Given the extent and depth of antipathy to all things nuclear in Scotland, it was only natural to suppose, however briefly, that this might be the last straw. Surely this is a red line not drawn in chalk so that it can be easily erased and redrawn by the SNP so as to avoid confrontation with the British state. Surely this, of all things, is a hill worth dying on.
If Stewart Kirkpatrick's exercise aids in any way or to any degree the critical effort to force a rethink of how the constitutional issue should be approached, he will have done Scotland's cause a great service. I urge people to participate.
The only reason "independence negotiations" would be on the cards is if the de facto referendum were not a referendum for independence but a referendum for a Section 30 request. Because that is the only possible reason or basis for those negotiations. Yet again, this is no more than is being proposed by the SNP. It is not an 'alternative'. It is the same 'strategy' wrapped in different words.
As to the questions that are put to the SNP by the pro-independence part of the Yes movement, doesn't it strike you as strange that the SNP makes such frantic efforts to answer every daft question put by Unionists but flatly refuses to engage with those inside the Yes movement who seek information or explanation?
The face I see in my mind's eye when I think of The Clique is smug, self-satisfied, complacent and condescending with a barely suppressed superior sneer about the curl of the crocodile smile and a ghost of scavenger guile behind the eyes. A bit like Angus Robertson caught off-guard.
At long last we have a journalist willing to press the SNP on its actual plans for restoring Scotland's independence. At last we have a journalist who recognises that slogans like 'Uniting for Independence' are nothing more than vacuous electioneering devices devoid of meaning or substance. Moreover, we have a journalist who is prepared to ask the awkward questions, if only she were to be given the opportunity.
My reading of the situation as it stands is that John Swinney would probably win this race. My opinion would be that this is probably for the best, all things considered.
No horses will be scared in the making of a John Swinney leadership. He could be just the man to bring about some healing. He could be good for the party and for the country. But can he provide leadership for Scotland's cause? It seems unlikely.
All leave has been cancelled for politics reporters, columnists and bloggers.
Consider this thought that occurred to me in the shower.
Peter A Bell 