I think wld is referring to the differences between Labour and Conservative in government McGrath.
As the self confessed heir to Thatcher, Blair has rendered those stark choices rather blurred at the edges and I have no reason to believe that Macavity will not continue along the same lines.

You a correct to point out that the Conservatives do not come into the electoral equation in Scotland, but they do stand to benefit greatly from any increase in the Nationalist vote.
Salmond is playing a very clever populist game at the moment, bringing forward initiatives which appeal to the elderly, students, house owners ect and if Westminster tries to protest he will portray them as "skinflints"
Salmond is also attempting to dismantle the barrier of religious sectarianism by reaching out to both the Republicans and the Unionists in Northern Ireland....a risky syrategy ,but one which could pay big dividends domestically.

In addition Salmonds oratorial skills mean that he is making mincemeat of the Labour opposition in holyrood debates and his pithy sound bites ensure that he is constantly visible in the Scottish media.

Macavity is in a no win situation, sabotaged by the mad Blair who by holding on to power for too long has done massive ,and I think intentional, damage to the Labour Party, and outflanked by an energised and cunningly lead SNP, he finds himself with nowhere to run but into the deathly embrace of messrs Campbell and Ashdown..Ake