More than a decade ago, the enthusiasm generated for nationalism by the independence campaign, even in defeat, led to the return of 56 SNP MPs to the London parliament out of a total of 65 from Scotland.
We were then just a few years into the domination of Scottish politics by the SNP, which remains preeminent to this day, not because of majority support but because unionism is divided while nationalism is not.
I recently came across an article that I wrote in 2015 commenting on this change in Scottish attitudes. It read as follows:
In order that 'Scotland's voice shall be heard' we Scots have decided to change our traditionally successful tactic.
Hitherto, we have sent to London representatives of UK-wide political parties who could and did take a disproportionate share of the great offices of state. Two recent Prime Ministers, three chancellors, foreign, home and defence secretaries, the outgoing Chief Secretary to the Treasury and numerous other ministers have been Scots.
For some reason the English, Welsh and Northern Irish used to be content to allow Scots to run the country. But that wasn't enough for us, so we have now sent to London 56 members of a purely Scottish party who, with no significant allies at Westminster, cannot hope to hold any UK office of state at all. Scotland's voice will no longer be heard in the cabinet room or in senior departments as it has been up to now.
Perhaps someone will explain to me how having our representatives shouting from outside the cabinet room is more likely to ensure that Scotland's voice is heard than having several of the most crucial seats inside was.
Confined to opposition, it will be tempting for Scotland's representatives to become shrill and peevish. We have no-one but ourselves to blame for this loss of influence. Since austerity is the current UK government's policy and the SNP demands an end to it, we can hardly be surprised if we are told we have leave to spend more money in Scotland provided it is all raised in Scottish taxes.
You may, if you wish, call me Cassandra. Nobody listened to her either.
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