I am sure I was not alone in waiting for two things last week (seasonal festivities notwithstanding): the Scottish government's Brexit proposals and the UK government's response to them.
And as much as the Scottish government's proposals were a clear, constructive and reasoned set of options that charted in detail all corners of the possible, to the same extent the UK government's response was inflexible, dismissive and dogmatic. The compromise offered by one was matched by the chaos, contrariness and contempt with which it was met by the other.
In so far as the UK government has been able to formulate a coherent position at all, it seems to consist only of veiled threats and vindictiveness. They seem to be asserting that a post-Brexit rUK will be able to arrive at a trade deal with ease with every single country in the world with the sole exception of Scotland, which we must assume will be subject to some vague but unique punishment from which all other members of the Single Market will be exempt, should it seek to pursue its own interests within the Single Market in the event of a "hard Brexit" and the rUK leaving it.
When they can no longer maintain the logic-defying contortions their position inflicts on them, they resort to another tried and tested tactic of the abusive partner, the "no-one else would have you" gambit. "But Spain," they say, rejoicing in every obstacle Madrid raises to impede our progress.
Spain is eager to avoid any precedents that may be applicable to the situation of Catalonia, they point out. But can Spain count on their support when Article 50 negotiations turn to the subject of Gibraltar? Will they continue to exert themselves as strenuously to promote Spanish interests when the Rock is on the table? What is the Spanish for having your cake and eating it?
A government that favours Spanish interests over Scottish ones is not fit to govern Scotland.
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