To my amazement much of the media seems convinced that our beloved First Minster is going to name the date for another referendum on Scottish independence.
Really? Would she actually be so unwise? The nationalist narrative is that the current Brexit spectacle shows such a failure of the United Kingdom that the sunlit uplands of an Independent Scotland are there for the taking - they believe we, the Scottish electorate, will be fooled this time.
Those people who think that what is happening on Brexit is an advert for Scottish independence are clearly watching a different movie to the one I am watching.
The picture I see is one of a society which is deeply and damagingly divided about whether we should or should not stay in the EU and, if not, the terms on which we leave. I see the lies of those who told us it was an easy path to a prosperous future if we left the EU and that we could have our cake and eat it because they need us - exposed as the words of fools and charlatans. I see the real priorities of Government being ignored, investment delayed, wealth and jobs relocating elsewhere.
Can the SNP diehards really not see the parallels between Brexit and Scottish Independence? The disruption of leaving the EU is costing jobs, growth and our ability to fund public services - so would Scotland leaving the UK. The dodgy claims of the Brexiteers are being exposed - and in the same way another independence referendum would cruelly expose the laughable claims of the nationalists over what currency an independent Scotland would have if it joined the EU , how we would deal with the large financial deficit we have, the level of social spending we could actually afford etc. etc.
Frankly, I almost look forward to another independence referendum because after another defeat the SNP would be finished and the danger to Scotland’s prosperity reduced as a consequence. Unfortunately, we cannot afford the indulgence of another referendum. A new referendum on Scottish independence would cause yet more uncertainty for consumers, reduce investment and destroy jobs - and that would be daft. The UK’s position in, or near, Europe - or somewhere in mid-Atlantic - needs to be clear and play out for some years before we could even have a sensible debate again about Scotland’s political future. Uncertainty heaped on uncertainty just will not do - a First Minister who really puts her country first must surely see that.
I hate to give the nationalists some genuine advice but there is only one decent way for them to achieve their dream - and that is the honest way. Stop lying in wait and trying to do a hit and run on the UK. Instead, if you really want to help the Scottish economy and its people, take Independence off the table for a prolonged period. Show us that you can govern well - improve our healthcare and education systems, fix our roads, convince people who want to start businesses and create wealth for themselves and their families that Scotland is a great place to be.
One day you might persuade us that another step down the road would be the right thing - but not now - and not like this.
Pinstripe is a senior member of Scotland's financial services community.
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