TRUTH BE told, I’m not really sure what to make of the SNP.

 I’ll back Scotland’s fight in almost any international debate - but independence has long been one that I’ve struggled to take a firm stance on.

 In principle it sounds great.  Currently the status of Scotland floats somewhere between a principality (which Wales is) and an out-and-out country.  There may be a more precise technical definition, but I don’t care enough to look for it.  And it was probably written by an Englishman.

The ongoing process of devolution has granted more and more independence, but in international circles (particularly in continental Europe) Scotland is not recognised.  Worse still, the entirety of Britain is referred to as “England”. 

Some say that it can happen on a practical level.  North Sea oil and tourism are mooted as goldmines which would keep a newly-independent Scotland clear of bankruptcy.   But the former commodity is only short-lived, and replacement forms of power are being developed at a fast rate.

 I am not so sure.  I think that I like things the way they are.  But I’m not really sure about that either.

 One thing that I am pretty sure about is that the one issue politics of the Scottish National Party - and its leader Alex Salmond – are unlikely to be beneficial for Scotland – whether it is independent or not.