The SNP continues to pick up votes from all three parties while avoiding deep scrutiny
• Nicola Sturgeon’s stance pleases everyone… for nowNicola Sturgeon’s speech wasnt her strongest,whether judged for its rousing oratory or for its substantive content. Her defence of the SNP’s record was notable for its lists of expensive inputs, such as free university tuition, and rather than improvements in education or health outcomes.
But the SNP’s current strategic position is so strong that the speech easily cleared any hurdle. The party is an incredibly broad church by any degree. Some people who voted SNP remain unsure about independence; others want a moment independence referendum as soon as possible. Ideologically,the party spans the far left to the centre-legal. The common thread that has enabled Sturgeon to hold it together is “stronger for Scotland”, an idea that sets the Scottish people against the Westminster elite and that has allowed the SNP to pick up votes from all three parties.
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Source: theguardian.com