When Alex Salmond, leader of the Scottish National Party (SP), appears in debate there is palpable tension as people wait to see what new policy he is going to deliver, seemingly on the hoof. promises that the SNP will cancel the housing debt; lower interest rates; abolish unemploy. ment in one term; nationalise Ravenscraig: and properly fund training. education and health.
These policies could be adopted by other parties, but it might be expected that these would be subject to financial constraints (if a £28 billion borrowink requirement can be called restraint!).
But the SNP just claims that an independent Scotland will have the skills, resources and people to attract industry and колетате weai Whenever opposing politicians try to ndicule the SN's promises, as Labour Shadow Chancellor John Smith March 21, 1992 No. 18 did over the 'Cancel the housing debt pledge, they are quickly wrong tooted Smith claimed the effect of the Scottish budget a E7.1 bil Salmond, trained economist, quickly pointed out that the debt transfer from local to central government was financially neutral and would have no effect on publie borrowing Smith was widely seen to make a glaring and elemenThe point was rammed when studies by inde pendent (sic) pointed out that Scotland con tributes as much to the British tax change would be necessary to finance a Scottish budget.
The overall effect was to give the impression that the SNP had won the argument, Smith was less competent than Salmond, and a Scottish parliament made economic sense.
How then did the SNP get into this envious position? Partly it the personal qualities of their leaders - Salmond in debate is bright, quick and incisive, and Jim Sillars' brand of fiery thuggery browbeat opponents and to hell with logic. It is also partly a result of the quality of the Alienating Most of Labour's senior politicians are focusing on the south of England. Those that are left in Scotland are not allowed or able to make policy initiatives for fear of alienating Scottish voters.
The Tories have also boosted the SNP. By stating that inde ion, Major was aiming to squeeze Labour in Scotland He did that, but only by boosting the attractiveness of independence.
Suddenly the Tories have launched a campaign against the SNP, but too late - the SNP have won popular opinion on both the principle and the economics of independence.
What then are the real politics of the SNP? How do hey reconcile calls for scrapScotland, and withdrawal from The SPare a the Gordon Highlanders? arty and will do or say any constituency of support. But they are aware that those drawn to left nationalism are not easily squared with the fictitious glorious history of the Highland regiments in defending the Empire The SNT has been described as a petit-bourgeois nationalist party, acting in the interests of neither the bourgeoisie nor the working class. They sway in the wind While sections of the bourgeoisie might support an inde Scotland (the against national self-deterFor electoral reasons, the SNP is orienting to the working class. But don't expect a consis tent socialist policy from them.