Policy Research Media Morhamburn

Interesting fringe event today up here in sunny Inverness, which saw a particularly provocative topic raised; namely, is the SNP becoming comfortable or even complacent?

This was the question posed by a political journalist to the assembled party faithful – all done in the spirit of contextualising the SNP’s position in Scottish politics, you understand. For this fringe was launching and discussing Gerry Hassan’s new book The Modern SNP – From Protest to Power in which a number of contributors assess the SNP and its current place in the world.

The discussion which took place was particularly interesting – and while the audience refuted the claim of complacency with a vigour that suggested that it is not widespread just yet – the debate as to how the SNP has done and, indeed, is doing was enlightening. The consensus seemed to be that they have done well in government (an entirely predictable response I grant you…) but that weak opposition and a (to some unexpectedly) agreeable civil service have helped them enormously.

Such honest assessments and discussions by a party are almost unheard of out with the closed confines of a conference, and it is undoubtedly one of the most interesting aspects of these events to the observer; stipped of media spin, you get a truer sense of how things really are within the party.

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