What does Nicola Sturgeon do next?

Across the world, newspaper headline writers are breathlessly predicting a second independence referendum, or at least a constitutional clash about such a vote.

But what happens after Nicola Sturgeon rings in the bells next? Will she go full flag-waving Braveheart and prepare for a showdown with Westminster? Or will she knuckle down and sort out problems in schooling, health and policing?

Sunday Post

For Chris Deerin Ms Sturgeon’s general election campaign was “brilliant” and the FM “outperformed her rivals in TV debates, drawing admiring comments from voters across the UK, and displaying an honesty and integrity not much found in the political world these day.”

However, Mr Deerin’s praise was only to sweeten a bitter pill. That is because he believes Ms Sturgeon’s “electoral success obscures the toxic fug of domestic disappointment”.

He wrote: “This has not been a vintage year for the administration. In fact, 2019 may contain the seeds of problems that could eventually bring it, and her, down.

“If the constitutional debate were somehow surgically removed from Scottish politics it is arguable that the SNP would not be sitting so proudly in the polls.

“Were the devolved government to be judged solely on its delivery of public services and its ability to deliver growth in the economy, then it would certainly be in more trouble than it is.

“As things stand, the fact that the independence dream is as yet unfulfilled ensures pro-Indy voters keep the Nats artificially high.

Mr Deerin reckons Ms Sturgeon ramps up her language on independence “partly so that the electorate doesn’t start talking about something else”. He criticised schools, the NHS and the economy. Ms Sturgeon, a bibliophile, will spend Christmas tucked up with good books. Mr Deerin concluded: “The FM should enjoy her break and squeeze in as many works of fiction as she can. Once the holidays are over, the real world is coming back with a bang.”

The Sunday Times

Alex Massie does not expect a second independence referendum any time soon. The columnist explained: “There will be no revisiting the national question unless that is the clear and unstoppable demand of the Scottish people themselves. No such demand exists at present.”

That, Mr Massie thinks, means the “SNP must play a longer game”.

“That is one in which the tone of the conversation matters. There is little advantage in pleasing “yes” voters and SNP supporters if this is done in ways that alienate those Scots who are not yet in favour of a second referendum but can imagine themselves thinking that one day it might, perhaps, be necessary.”

He added: “This is not the time for overheated nationalist rhetoric. The voters the SNP needs are the voters most likely to look askance at rabble-rousing rhetoric, flag-waving, street demonstrations and civil disobedience of the sort that’s been floated in wilder nationalist circles lately. The zoomers are a hindrance to the SNP, not its helpers.

“So tone matters and the Scots who need to be persuaded are mostly found among those who voted no in 2014 and remain two years later. They are, on the whole, middle-class and middle-aged and unimpressed by nationalist agitation.”

Good government would help, Mr Massie suggests. Just being a bit better than what the SNP call the worst UK government in living memory.

The Observer

Kirsty Strikland echoed such views. The writer said: “Some soft No voters are wavering, but they haven’t made the leap yet. Many are willing the UK government to do something to persuade them that this is a union worth fighting for. Their concerns about independence haven’t disappeared, but what has is the status quo they voted for in 2014.

“For her part, Sturgeon must balance the responsibilities as first minister with the expectations placed on her as Scottish National party leader.

“You get the sense that some are hoping for supporters of independence to lose their cool in this moment. Civil disobedience would be a gift for the prime minister.”