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"It might, on the other hand, all end in tears."

A London based journalist suggesting that Scotland is unable to govern itself. Surely not!

I agree that there is major change on the independence issue, but the significant change is not in Scotland. Notably support for seperation is higher in England than in Scotland. It will be interesting to see how long the situation of a Scottish PM in London, ordering yet more public money northwards will be tolerated by English voters. Many may question if it is time for England to declare independence from Scottish control.

You stated:

"Finally, the SNP leader knows he's come to power not thanks to the rise of nationalism but thanks to the decline of Scottish Labour."

The true position is that the total Labour vote increased from 2003 to 2007 whereas the SNP vote in 2007 increased to such an extent that it exceeded not only the Labour vote of 2007 but also the winning Labour vote of 2003.

Labour:1,221,258(2003)1,243,789(2007)
SNP 849,315(2003)1,297,628(2007)

The SNP obtained 448,313 additional votes thus exceeding Labour's 2003 winning total by 76,370 so it was not the decline of Labour but the rise of the SNP which has taken Alex Salmond into power.

The parties must work together, but I fear the worst. After a few initial friendly steps, the cross-party cooperation will disintegrate, causing a power vacuum that could go anywhere.

The greatest worry is the Lib Dems, a party woth little support, having the balance of power for certain key policies.

I think there is a huge swell in support for independence in Scotland, its just the people of Scotland dont realise what it is, because it is always portrayed as the seven plagues of Egypt or the Four horses of the apocalypse. But ask people in Scotland if they should have the power to decide on Trident, troops in Iraq, pensions, broadcasting, nuclear power etc they will say ‘yes, yes and yes’. Ask them about the reserved issues individually on foreign policy, energy, immigration and the Scottish Parliament and people want it to take control, but ask them about independence and they many will say no because the daily record and mail tell me it’s bad.

Independence is normality and equality and something nations across the globe take for granted. If the media wasn’t so utterly London based and unionist allowing people access to a balanced view of the realities of Scotlands right to national self determination, I have no doubt they would choose it.

I not only voted SNP for the first time in my life a fortnight ago, but also voted for Alex Salmond as my constituency MP, because I am heartily sick of the regular 3 parties.

The failure of any of those 3 regular parties to enter into a coalition with the SNP is all the justification I will ever need for my choice.

I wait to see what the politics of sour grapes will throw up in the next 4 years, perhaps if the Scottish people see Labour, Liberal and Tories frustrating policies that would be to their benefit there will be no need for a coalition after the next election!!!

If Wales gets a nationalist First Minister in the Assembly (as is getting increasing possible), would the ´óÏó´«Ã½ make such a big deal over that, or will Wales carried on being ignored as usualy by the political corospondents in the ´óÏó´«Ã½, as usual?

Nick

Perhaps you should stick to Westminster, because you seem unable to capture the mood and outlook of Scotland.

The SNP vote rose significantly(50% more than 2003), Labour's vote declined marginally.

Thus the SNP are in power precisely because Scots shifted to the nationalist cause, rather than Labour suffering a marked decline.

An interesting analysis Nick but classically "Unionist".

The increase in support for the SNP is borne mainly from the growing realisation that Scottish Labour has failed Scotland economically by adhering pretty much to Blair/Brown economic policies which of course are not designed for Scotland but for the SE of England.

The few variations on the theme aimed to promote a degree of "Scottishness" have had a negative rather than a positive impact because they've been spend policies rather than ones aimed at economic growth.

What will happen now is that SNP will concentrate more on economic policies aimed at real growth and if successful their support will grow.

In any event you forget that in a couple of years time Westminster is likely to have a Tory Govt and there's nothing like a Tory Govt to provide a boost for independence.

This is indeed the start of a new era for Scotland and it's highly unlikely we'll go back to supporting Unionist parties now the cats out of the bag.

"It may be the cynic in me but this situation leaves the SNP with everything to lose and the national traditional Labour/Conservative duopoly of power everything to gain.
To remain credible the SNP have to achieve during this Scottish Parliament, and achieve mightily the great expectations promised. This is more than I think can actually be delivered."

Perhaps it is time that Nationalist Parties stopped blaming other parties for frustrating their agendas when the truth is that they have a history (in Scotland and in Wales) of promising policies that they simply cannot deliver.

It is wholly right that the electorate turn on a party who promised the earth knowing full well that it was unachievable, and when it went wrong they'd just blame someone else.

I think many nationalists would be disappointed if they actually got independence- who would they blame then?

Alan North quoted: "It might, on the other hand, all end in tears."

and then said

A London based journalist suggesting that Scotland is unable to govern itself. Surely not!

But the truth is that Nick also said, in the previous sentence .... might end in Scottish indepedence.

So Alan North is just looking for a fight. Feeding his own bias by reading what he wants to read and ignoring the rest. Nick gave both sides of the coin. Alan didn't.

As an English taxpayer I'm going to love the Alex Salmond show. I hope he does get his referendum on independence because it's a win-win situation for England. If he wins, we can have lower taxes. If he loses then we can put a stop to Scottish nationalist show-boating for another generation!

Was this it? cause we now have to find out where and how the money is going to come from for the SNP to keep their promises.
They promissed a lot and future failures will not be England, but whether Salmund will be able to get the cow to milk their own way!
Interesting times ahead I say.

The reason the SNP is forming the executive is not because of a protest vote against Labour. It is because more people than ever before voted SNP. Look at the figures.
Also, the local election results in Scotland were even more devastating for Labour than the national ones. Why was this underreported? There was quite a bit of coverage of the English local elections.

"The prize for the speech of the day goes not to Salmond but to the leader of the Scottish Tories, Annabel Goldie. In a short, witty and dignified speech..."

Come on Nick, it was as smug and irrelevant as all her speeches. Jack McConnell's and Nichol Stephen's were far better - and actually matter.

How come we can complain about everyone else post but not about Nicks?

Could i just point out to John No16,that the local election left us with 26 of the 32 council with no overall control,hardly an endorsement of the NATS i would say;P.R. is an obstacle to improvement,we the puplic are left with a hung parliament and 26 inefficient councils,there is no winner's here,just an absolute mess,all this because of a protest vote.P.S. tell us what you think of a snp admin- in two years "TIME"

There's nothing like a spell in office to make a politician unpopular - just ask Tony Blair.

My guess is it will all end in tears for Alex Salmond and any thoughts of independence will end in deadlock, inertia and indifference.

The real concern about Scottish nationalism is that it stokes English nationalism, an altogether different and far more unpleasant beast. A beast best left locked in a heavily padlocked cage.

Mildred wrote "Perhaps it is time that Nationalist Parties stopped blaming other parties for frustrating their agendas when the truth is that they have a history (in Scotland and in Wales) of promising policies that they simply cannot deliver."
Err, correct me if I'm wrong, but just WHEN has a Nationalist party actually had an opportunity to deliver, i.e. been in power? Of course you can't deliver if you've nevr had the chance.

It's Salmond's first day and already some are trying to write his obituary. Such is the level of vitriol aimed at the SNP,especially from NuLabour and from south of the border, you'd think that they felt they were going to lose something valuable. If this is the case, then such folk should not have consistently denigrated Scotland, patronised the Scottish people and treated everything from Scotland with disdain.

Chris in 17#, what a sour puss you are, you cannot attack the SNP so you attack the Conservatives, the speech was short, witty and funny as could be seen on the faces of both Mr Salmond and his Wife.

I was amazed to hear Nick Robinson refer to Alex Salmond as the man who wants to break up Britain. He of all people should be aware that there is a much greater power than Alex Salmond which has already drawn up plans for the break up of Britain and is already putting them into effect. That power is the European Union. That was a little unfair Mr Robinson.

God help us poor Scots! we've got a strutting wee pouter pigeon with not a notion of a policy in his head. As Shakespeare said it's a case of "little man dressed in a little brief authority"
is the border still open for Scots refugees to locate into England?
what a travesty of an election that the Still No Policies party has managed to get a wee bit power. Hopefully they'll be out at the next election.
British friends, remember us in our hour of sorrow

Neil Sands wrote:

"So Alan North is just looking for a fight. Feeding his own bias by reading what he wants to read and ignoring the rest. Nick gave both sides of the coin. Alan didn't."

Sorry, but the fact that Nick felt it necessary at all to suggest that an SNP lead administration might "end in tears" clearly demonstrates contempt towards the Scottish Parliament.

In recent references as to whether Gordon Brown will be a successful Labour leader, the worst case scenario is painted as Labour losing the next general election. It is never suggested that somehow the UK will grind to a halt under his premiership.

Why is it fair game to suggest that somehow those elected to govern Scotland will run it into the ground? Have you taken into consideration the fact that the SNP have successfully run numerous local councils over the years? Or that the SNP leadership are clearly more in tune with the wishes of the Scottish people? Presumably Scottish civil servants who are there to help them implement their policies are sub-standard as well?

Those who are willing to even suggest that the Scotland will grind to a halt under WHATEVER party is elected clearly demonstrates their unjustified superiority complex.

You bet I'm biased, because the sooner we're independent, the sooner this London based political sniping will cease to have any relevance.

It is a step along the road to full Scottish self-determination.

This Englishman can hardly wait for that day, as it will mean that we English can then try and regain our own country.

England, believe it or not, does not actually exist, politically speaking.

There'll always be an England?

Of course, in our English hearts, now we just have to get the country back.

As a lifelong SNP supporter can I say thank you, thank you, thank you to New Labour voters. We really couldn't have done it without you.

Devolution has given us the power to start the process of making our little country not only a great place but also a nice place to live again.

For the first time since before Thatcher I am looking forward to a better future in Scotland.

Scottish independance equals lower taxes, nationalists have everything to lose. Don't you just love a bit of political controversey.
How about this England has a Scot as the future Prime Minister!!! In fact it has a Scot as the incumbent Prime Minister. Although I'm not an fan of New Labour, we have had the longest period of sustained growth in living memory, and it was achieved by Scotsman. Bring on independance says I.

You are fools if you think English taxes will come down or be lowered at all if Scotland gains independence. How naive are you?

Do you remember the pre-1993 rates of VAT? VAT was increased to pay for those who did not pay their Poll Tax. Was it lowered back down to 15% after the Poll Tax was abolished and replaced with the Council Tax in April 1993? Was it hell.

Good grief Nick! Take a chill pill! Most people (me being one of them) voted for SNP because of their range of policies not because of the independence issue. I'm quite happy for Scotland to have a referendum on independence - surely we must believe in democracy, so having a referendum would give the parties the chance to put forward their arguments for and against it - this would be a much more constructive discussion that is currently taking place on the issue.

I voted for SNP for their policies on Trident, Council Tax and Transport. They are not a single-issue party any more, that's why Scotland felt comfortable voting them into power.

One burning question for Mr Salmond to answer:

He wants to remove all student debt. Does that include those students who rarely turn up for lectures and have no intention of completing, let alone passing a course? Why should the taxpayer fund them?

And there are thousands of students who do this year on year throughout the UK.

If students are to receive what amounts to free education, then they must agree to certain terms and conditions.

Following Andrea at #30;

The independence issue was parked because a separate referendum was promised - therefore this election was not about independence for Scotland (a clever move by the SNP - maybe Mr Samond is not as daft as he..is portrayed to be).

So I agree with Andrea - Nick take a chill pill. But also, please, everyone else: this was not a vote for independence. After all, in addition to the "parking" of that(big) issue to a referendum, 65% of those who voted did so for unionist parties, and only about half of the electorate bothered to vote. But Mr Salmond is not stupid and in power he can progress matters much more than in oppositon! So, interesting times ahead indeed. Maybe independence will come about because of the votes of around 16% of the scottish electorate!
ps. I'm not a nationalist; my mind is not made up on that issue.

One more thing - how can a Nationalist take offence at the "It might, on the other hand, all end in tears" comment?

Especially as the immediately preceeding sentence was: " Today was just a first step on a long journey that might transform the SNP into a party of power, may well lead to the Scottish Parliament gaining new powers and might end in Scottish independence".

Some of the objections show that nationalists should take a chill pill as well as Nick!