Just to set any ambiguity straight, since there seems to be some antipathy in these boards for those of us Scots who now live 'furth" and retain an interest in Scotland. I am Scottish and lived in Scotland until 2001 and I always voted SNP. When I left Scotland I did not attempt to vote by post for the simple reason that I felt I had no right to vote since I no longer lived there. I am still acutely interested though. *looks around for discontents*... so like it or lump it that's where I'm at (man).

There is no doubt in my mind that everything will be done to stop Salmond and the SNP. The Scottish Labour and LibDems of COURSE take instruction from Westminster, because they are parts of their respective UK parties - so those of you who are hand wringing, just stop. Enough already.

The whole Scottish Assembly was never about Scotland, it was ALWAYS about Westminster and about thwarting the upsurge in Nationalism. Dewar was a good and sincere man who believed that devolution was right (and far enough) for Scotland. I don't think this can be said of McConnell, Stevens, Campbell or Brown, whose interests are more UK-centric. Let's all just hope and pray that foul mouthed idiots like Pauline McNeil only get let out of their cages to vote on the party line and are never given positions with any sort of authority.

So, don't be surprised to see Mr McConnell or Mr Nicol as FM whenever it happens, because it's gonna. And the people will be happy because as everyehere, mostly the people think politicians are a bunch of inconsequential burps and gurgles whom it's better and easier to complain about than to think about. People don't want democracy or even accountability I think, they just want to get on with their individual lives as best they can on a daily basis, hoping that they do not run foul of "The System" (huge numbers don't vote).

So is this the zenith for the SNP? the so near and yet so far? Perhaps. In 100 yrs will the Scottish people look back and say that it was a narrow escape or a lost opportunity? Who knows. One thing I do believe though is this; sad but true, while individuals in Scotland have brilliance and vision and see how Scotland could well be a force in her own right as per Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, New Zealand, Estonia etc, there are others who do not and who place their own desires to rule on a larger stage above the interests of their country of birth. This is their choice, but Scotland remains riven by the two and as 300 yrs ago the people largely seem not to care (huge numbers don't vote) or have been neutered, while a small bunch or individuals line their pockets and careers in London. These people know that , just as with the poll tax, it wil take the English to move for something to be done about the Union before anything happens.

So forget about the arguements, the benefits, the potential disruptions, the difficulties. Forget about the rational arguements and justifications for one side or the other. It is all about Westminster and the status quo and it always has been. Suck it up, as they say over here, and get back to the football. Oh and whatver you do, don't read the McCrone report, because that might make you vaguely uneasy and we can't have that, can we?

Grant