[0762]

That is indeed one of the most noticeable differences when you study the general behaviour of the SNP and it's officials down the years ritchie - they are not perfect but there is a unity and direction about the party/govt compared with the other highly questionable credentials of the old unionist allies and opponents of the SNP and I believe that's why lotsa Scots now back the SNP and realise that backing Scotland is not just a meaningless slogan - they mean it and are passionate to make Scotland a better country by improving it!! Re the tax issue? It's a red herring IMO!!! As soon as I heard that the Scottish govt were finally given tax-raising powers last year, my immediate thoughts centred on political opponents who would 'pounce' on any rise in tax and try to capitalise on the difference and I was 'spot on' in that respect - a little 'trap' that the SNP and Sturgeon would be very wary of and I would have been extremely disappointed if that wariness was not evident! We /they are dealing with some real 100% c#### when it comes to stuff like this and being 'streetwise' is part n parcel of political survival in this country.