The SNP and Their Struggle to Triumph: A Decade of Missteps and Unrealized Promises

In recent years, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has found itself in a peculiar position. While they have been in power for 14 years, their inability to deliver on promises and their reliance on nationalist rhetoric has raised questions about their ability to deliver for Scotland. This article aims to explore the current state of the SNP and their prospects for the future, highlighting the fundamental flaws in their economic and political strategy.

Unfulfilled Promises and Electoral Success

The SNP's strategy for electoral success over the past decade has been based on a formula that doesn't stand up to close scrutiny. Here's a breakdown of their approach:

Make Ridiculous Uncosted Promises: The SNP has repeatedly made uncosted promises, hoping that the public will be convinced by the rhetoric rather than the actual details. Ignore Those Promises: After making promises, they simply ignore them, moving on to the next set of unfulfilled pledges. Blame Others: Whether it's the Tories, austerity, or England, the SNP has a habit of blaming others for any shortcomings in their governance. Declare They Could Have Met Promises if Separated: Instead of facing the reality of their failures, they often claim that meeting their promises would have been possible if Scotland were to separate from the UK.

This approach has led to a level of disappointment among the Scottish electorate, as evidenced by recent polls showing that the SNP is set to narrowly miss out on a majority in Holyrood. Nicola Sturgeon faces a significant challenge in persuading the public to believe in their promises once again.

The Fundamental Flaws in the Scottish Economy

One of the most glaring issues with the SNP's economic strategy is the problems that have persisted during their tenure. Oxford Economics, a respected research institute, has identified several critical issues:

Low Business Creation Rates: The number of businesses being created per 10,000 people is relatively low, and this trend is not improving. Scaling Up: The number of smaller firms scaling up to become larger ones is lower than comparable countries and regions. Innovation: The number of companies classified as innovation active has fallen since 2016. Graduate Skills Misalignment: A fifth of graduates in Scotland work in non-graduate roles, and 35% of employers say they employ graduates who are over-qualified for their roles. Links to Higher Education: Scotland has strength in higher education research but too few companies are linked to it. Foreign Investment and Economic Growth: Scotland performs well in attracting foreign inward investment but does not gain the productivity benefits. Tax Policy: Holyrood's tax policies fail to encourage work, savings, or investment.

These issues highlight a systemic problem with the Scottish economy, and while the SNP has control over many of these areas, they have failed to address them effectively. As a result, Scotland risks falling further behind countries like Denmark and Norway, which have embraced innovation and entrepreneurship.

Immigration and Population Growth

The SNP's claims about the positive impact of separation on Scotland have also been called into question by recent data. Despite the belief that leaving the UK would be beneficial, economic data shows that immigration and population growth in Scotland were flat during the SNP's tenure. This flat growth stands in stark contrast to England's more dynamic population trends, which have been more favorable.

Moreover, Scotland's inequality has increased, and educational attainment has declined, indicating that the SNP's economic policies have not been successful in addressing these pressing issues. Instead of focusing on real solutions, the SNP's nationalist rhetoric often takes center stage, leading to further divisiveness and disappointment among the electorate.

Conclusion

The SNP's inability to produce a realistic economic plan, coupled with their reliance on nationalist one-liners, has exposed the fundamental flaws in their approach. While their supporters may find schadenfreude in their current predicament, the reality is that continued divisiveness and lack of progress are harmful to Scotland's future. The SNP must learn from past mistakes and develop a credible plan for addressing the economic and social challenges facing Scotland.