They did their best to turn it into a celebration. They had hired the Thistle suite at Murrayfield, the home of Scottish rugby. Catering staff had laid out fresh pastries. But the mood inside was nervy. Edgy, even. No one quite knew what to think. Was this an ending or a beginning? Despite the positive spin, the upbeat exterior, this wasn’t the Scottish National party as it generally likes to be seen.
The SNP has dominated Scottish politics for decades. Now it is at a crossroads. Its leader for more than eight years has ruled almost as she pleased. Winning election after election and trusting in a party discipline that is the envy of leaders south of the border. A party way beyond the demands of normal democracy; one whose leaders normally appear by alchemy rather than through a vote of party members.
