they may well offer a more thoughtful alternative. as a wealthy nation we do not always have to be so backward, so negative and so keen to flog off all that is worthwhile about our country. snp in government have tried to preserve the NHS and social services for example and have had some success in the face of westminster opposition. if they could encourage the rest of us just to think a bit differently, i am sure they could get the support of the vast majority of english voters - and the labour party might actually start to remember what they are supposed to be about.

if they can offer 5 years of tories out of office that is a massive gift to all the countries in the uk