Away from the BNP and the Woes of Brown (which sounds like an Aberfeldy tea-room or something) the other notable european result came in Scotland where the SNP’s handsome victory (29-21 over Labour) confirmed that Labour can no longer automatically consider itself the natural governing party in Scotland. Given that the 2007 Holyrood election was essentially a tie (the SNP winning on away goals), this was the first time the SNP had ever routed Labour in a national election.
Sure, Labour’s difficulties at Westminster played a large part in this, but only a part. Their inability to counter Alex Salmond’s merry band at Holyrood was also a factor. This, even though the nationalists, having enjoyed their first 12 months in power, endured a more difficult second year in office. Despite Salmond’s local difficulties, Labour has struggled to lay a glove on him.
Theoretically, then, the nationalists are ready to make major gains at Westminster next year.
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