Sturgeon’s main strength is her lack of real opposition

The SNP’s ability to defy political gravity — a poll conducted last month put them on 51 per cent in Holyrood voting intentions — is easier to understand when you consider the alternatives. Jackson Carlaw, unveiled on Friday as Ruth Davidson’s successor at the helm of the Scottish Tories, is a pleasant chap with a certain flair but unlikely to bring the House of Sturgeon to its knees. Scottish Labour is led by Richard Leonard, a man so anonymous there are members of the witness protection programme with better name recognition. Scots go to the polls next May for the Scottish Parliament election and the choice is between the least effective government of the devolution era and an opposition most voters aren’t aware exists.

Nicola Sturgeon’s reshuffle of her government was forced by the departure of finance secretary Derek Mackay, but it has left her front bench stronger than ever. Mackay’s former deputy Kate Forbes, who stepped in and delivered the Holyrood budget on the morning of his resignation, has been appointed his replacement.