It is interesting to read the comments about Starmer and Sturgeon who have not enjoyed the best of weeks! I have to say that I really dislike Sturgeon but I just think this is because it is almost impossible to find fault with what she has to say. No other politician in Europe is pushing for a liberal society with such intent that I am really surprised that she has not become a cause celebre on a wider, global scale. The Salmond enquiry had threatened to derail and undermine her yet no killer punches have been landed and her reputation has not really suffered. She has admitted her faults and errors in a way that would be totally alien to Boris. She is not a woman I like. It is difficult to have any affection for anyone who has an unbalanced hatred of the English. Despite this, the logic of her arguments are frequently so strong that I think she is unassailable. For my money, she is the ultimate politician of our time and has re-imagined the SNP in her image. Salmond was a wily politician but one who has made bad judgement calls and something of a pantomime villain. It has been fun watching his stock decline. By comparison, Sturgeon combines his savvy whilst constantly ensuring that she is seen not to have done anything that might jeopardise her integrity. She is a very smart political animal.
What I find strange is that Sturgeon could have really projected her mantra over a much larger stage. Newspapers like the Express are constantly publishing hostile articles about her and you can appreciate why there is a genuine hatred towards her throughout much of England. What doesn't get reported is just how good she is even though I read somewhere in the week that she actually enjoys a far larger following in England that a rag like the Express would make you believe. With her liberal viewpoint coupled with her management of her political party, she enjoys far more clout that a country with a population with 6 million people should. There are elements of Sturgeon which actually recall Margaret Thatcher with regard to her aloofness yet, whilst their politics were an ocean apart, I would reluctantly argue that Nicola Sturgeon is the greater politician.
Anyone who believes in democracy can see that Scotland deserves another referendum as the situation in 2021 is totally different from 2014. Scotland is now marooned outside of the EU and shackled to another union where it will always remain a bit part player, even if batting above itself. There is no doubt that Scotland would do far better under Sturgeon. I think that the whole of Europe would benefit from someone with her outlook. Her liberal views are unimpeachable and I think that her gender is an asset and ensures that she projects something truly different to the kind of politicians we have been used to in the past. It is really difficult, even if you dislike her, to disagree with her comments. Few politicians have consistently been right as often as she has. I cannot recall her ever been proved to be incorrect. If you like, she has the potential to be the Obama of our time.
However, I think that there is another side to tis argument. At the moment the only credible opposition to the Tories is the SNP. They are the only people landing blows on Boris and they are ones which always hurt. In comparison, Labour under Starmer have become ineffectual and, I am sorry to say, totally pointless. It is weird situation because Sturgeon's arguments about Scotland also apply to the rest of the UK in many instances. Starmer does not have the personality of Sturgeon and nor does he have the ability to present arguments which seem as cast iron as Sturgeons. Sturgeon is everything Starmer is not. Unfortunately, as soon as Scotland becomes independent, I think Boris will have a much easier life post-Sturgeon. As long as he continues to deny the Scots another referendum, Scotland will always appear to be the victim. Whilst Scotland may receive money from Westminster, it clearly gets little governance from there! It is a shame that someone of Sturgeon's ability is fated to perform on a small stage - both for the same of her own country and also as credible opposition for this government, She is effectively the Leader of the Opposition but also a politician capable of being a more significant player on a global stage.
