The Scottish Government’s efforts to gain another independence referendum via the Supreme Court are so much political theatrics. They’re really about party management and electoral strategy. As with most of what the Scottish Government does, the purpose is not the good government of Scotland but serving the interests of Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP. That is why this wheeze has been given little credence by the Holyrood opposition.
However, the underlying principles are not so trivial. Whether it is serving up a bloody slab of red meat to the SNP faithful or sincerely attempting to usurp the devolution settlement, the Scottish Government has openly challenged Westminster’s authority. This is, or has the potential to become, a constitutional crisis.
What should the new prime minister do?