for the snp their opposition to the tories is unchanging and resolute. labour lost much of its support there as they are seen as 'in bed with the tories' and more likely to co-operate with them in sniping at the scottish government. were labour to offer a clearer opposition to tory rule and adopt some snp policies in england (elderly care, student fees, trident etc) then the need for scottish independence would decline and if they offered a proper partnership and more autonomy to scotland then it should not be beyond the wit of reasonable people to work for their mutual benefit. however, ignoring scotland, patronising them or cheating them yet again will prolong the agony for labour and give the call for independence another boost. a half decent, consensual, yet solidly anti-tory westminster government is what is needed both sides the tweed.