AMID all the talk of the SNP's honeymoon – which as of yesterday had extended to 12 months – was one message which appeared on BBC Online. "Honeymoons usually last for a month at the most. Well, any I have been on or witnessed anyway," said the commentator. "I think it's time the media realised this isn't a honeymoon but a successful MARRIAGE. between the SNP and Scotland."
As Alex Salmond celebrates the latest polling data, which shows he is now a thumping 14 points ahead of Labour at Holyrood, the blogger might have a point. The row over the Trump development has come and gone. Weekly opposition attacks over the "brok
en promises" on cancelling student debt or cutting class sizes trundle along like buses. And what happens? Salmond and his SNP administration just become more popular.
Another poll last week found that 53% of Scots are satisfied with Salmond's performance (compared with only 20% happy with Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander). Twelve short months ago there were many who doubted whether Scotland and the Nationalists would be able to so much as get through the church door before splitting up. But are we now talking about a lifelong commitment?
Certainly, when this newspaper contacted several well-known Scots for an entirely unscientific survey of opinions on the SNP a few weeks ago, an overwhelmingly positive picture emerged for Salmond. But within the eulogies there was also a warning. "I can't put a finger on it but there is a freshness of approach," said Sir Tom Farmer. "Although I can't put a finger on anything in particular… there is just a better feeling in Scotland," said artist John Byrne. "Although they haven't actually made any major changes to date, one thing they have done for the first time in many years is create a feelgood factor," added Sir Peter Burt, the former chair of ITN.
In other words, goodwill abounds towards Salmond's still fresh-faced Government. But it is, for many, a nebulous, vague type of approval. People like Salmond. They like most of his team. They like their style and the way they get out and communicate. But ask them about what they've done and they shrug their shoulders. Forth Road Bridge tolls: check. Freezing council tax: check. Anything else? Um. Not sure. Not too bothered either, though.
Given the current state of the political parties in Scotland, none of this need concern Salmond at present. Labour is still drifting. Last week, Wendy Alexander's shadow cabinet was diverted by a discussion over whether or not to vote at Holyrood on matters which didn't come under the Parliament's control, thereby once again displaying its talent for getting stuck in constitutional treacle.
Leaving this aside, Alexander is struggling to escape from under the bigger story of Labour's UK-wide collapse, courtesy of plunging poll ratings and disastrous local election results. She is in a near impossible position of being asked to turn a tide over which she can never have any control. Consequently, Salmond's pre-eminence, for the time being, looks assured.
But Salmond does appear to have realised that if the popularity of his Government is based largely on something as precarious as a vague public sense of satisfaction, he must build firmer foundations if he is to achieve lasting success. Consequently, the buzzword around Bute House at present is "delivery".
The last month has seen a blitz from the SNP on the theme. Hundreds of thousands of leaflets have been sent out to families highlighting the various initiatives introduced by the Government since last May. In a briefing last week, meanwhile, Salmond claimed that for his first year in office he had deliberately prioritised "unambiguous" changes to the country such as the council tax freeze and the cut in prescription charges. This was planned to make sure his Government got noticed.
As we report today, in the next couple of weeks, in a far more important step, Salmond will unveil his plans for public sector reform. In particular, he will replace the old target-driven, input-led style of government with a more outcome-based approach. It is a move which is designed to transform the way health, education and other public services are delivered.
This is certainly what the SNP is hoping: that despite letting us down occasionally, despite the occasional fib, we'll not bother too much because, after all, it feels natural and reassuring to have them around.
A bit like a marriage, in other words.
The full article contains 759 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
