The return of Alex Salmond
The former leader of the Scottish National Party has a new party, and some radical ideas for independence
SUCCESSFUL POLITICAL parties are coalitions, and the Scottish National Party’s has been expansive. Over the years it has been divided on Europe, NATO and devolution. It has lured those who dream of a socialist Scotland, and those who think it can be a low-tax rival to Ireland. Young Scandiphiles rub elbows with old Anglophobes. Electoral success and growing support for independence have bound it together.
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “When separatists separate”
From the March 31st 2021 edition
Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents
Explore the editionMore from Britain
Was the Bank of England right to start lowering interest rates?
Andrew Bailey takes a calculated risk
What will Great British Energy do?
The new body’s first job is to unblock private investment
Britain’s railways go from one extreme to another
Departing: privatisation. Destination: centralisation
The disease that most afflicts England’s National Health Service
Stopping raids on capital budgets would be a start
A riot in Southport shows how the British far right is changing
It has become easier to spread lies and stir up trouble online
British voters care less about tax rises than politicians think
So if you’re going to increase a tax, make it a big one