NICOLA Sturgeon is a politician who evidently believes the best form of defence is attack.

Her broadside today against Labour, in response to its assault on the SNP's economic plans, is ample proof of that.

The SNP wants maximum devolved financial powers, with Holyrood in control of all taxes and spending.

Self-reliance, of course, is a good thing.

Labour warns of a 'financial blackhole' - in language which harks back to the misinformation of Project Fear during the referendum. What Labour don't say is that they caused the financial black hole in the first place.

The SNP response is rightly that with full fiscal autonomy Scotland could manage its own affairs, and grow the economy and close any deficit in our own way without being prey to the Westminster consensus and its policies of austerity.

This "bombshell" is what is now adorning Labour's election material - because that is all they have got to say. Labour claims the SNP would ramp up taxes and slash spending to plug the gap. This is untrue on several levels - and must be challenged.

If Holyrood had full financial powers, it could borrow to cover the deficit, just as the UK government borrows to cover its deficit, as do most governments worldwide.

In addition, unless the next UK government supports it, full fiscal autonomy will not happen.

Labour denounces the idea not because it is likely, but because they desperately need something to combat the SNP surge. The party is on its knees in the polls - and when someone is losing a fight they tend to use anything in the battle to survive.

There is also the question of credibility. Labour has form on crashing the economy. But the SNP, forced by law to balance its budgets, has no such woeful record.

As Nicola Sturgeon's put it: there is more than a little affrontery in being lectured by a Labour politician on balancing the books. Labour's attempt to position itself as the wise old man of government finance is laughable.

Could voters really be lead to believe that Sturgeon and John Swinney are harebrained financial hooligans, especially when the charge comes from Labour? It seems more than a little unlikely.

However with Labour hammering away so hard at the issue, there is a risk that some mud could stick. This is an election which is quickly turning into one characterised by false smears and misleading narratives thanks to the ugly tactics of the Westminster parties.

The best policy is to head off the lies before they get any traction in the debate. Sturgeon has faith in full fiscal autonomy, so she should simply explain what it entails to the people of Scotland.Voters are intelligent and interested - they will listen and understand. Voters also appreciate honesty, and the best riposte to scare stories is the facts.