The Age of Nicola: Sturgeon maps out the road to independence

The problem with Nicola Sturgeon is that she is, by the standards of contemporary politics, unusually straightforward. There is little artifice and even less deceit about Scotland’s First Minister. What you see is what you get; what she says is what she mostly means. That is, even when she’s sidling past the truth it’s clear what she really means.

And so, there it was, out in the open at last: a clear confirmation that Jeremy Corbyn and his Labour party are Nicola Sturgeon’s useful idiots. Sure, there may not be any need for another referendum on independence before 2020 – not least because, as matters stand, that referendum might, like last year’s plebiscite, be lost – but there will be another referendum at some point. And it will be won.

Not least because Corbyn will help concentrate Scottish minds. If he makes it to 2020 he will lead the Labour party to a disaster of Stalingrad proportions.