The SNP leads - who will follow?

WEEL DONE CUTTY STURGEON

At last.  A major UK politician has finally had the sense/bravery to put our society's greatest problem at the forefront of her party's policies.  The constant sidetracking by the parties of The Establishment - ToryKip, the Lib Dems and, sadly, Labour - follows the narrative set by the rich owners of the likes of the Sun, the Fail and the Excess.  A narrative that, more and more, favours the already rich, chips away at the quality of life for the majority, and victimises the defenceless and innocent.  They focus on the great right wing shibboleths of debt, economic growth, the casino banking culture, and feed us the non-issues of immigration and EU membership (both of which are quite clearly, if a balanced view is taken, beneficial).

Now Nicola Sturgeon is saying that the biggest priority to be tackled is Inequality.  This makes clear sense from both left and right wing perspectives.  It puts the people, and protection of our most defenceless citizens - the true marker of a civilised society -  as the most important factor in determining government actions (which is exactly what democracy should be about).  But it could also lead to a more dynamic, as well as fairer, economy.  By spreading economic activity and wealth on a better distribution curve you create a society where more people are actively contributing, and wealth is used within the community rather than hoarded.  I've no idea how anyone can set about measuring such a thing, but there have been studies which show that the happiest period for British citizens was that much maligned decade, the seventies, before the disastrous government promotion of greed as a positive force in the eighties.  The seventies, were also, surprise, surprise, the decade of greatest equality.

Of course the SNP may have no impact on the problem.  They are fighting against major entrenched issues, not just in Scotland, but internationally.  Indeed, for me, the greatest failing of the EU is it's repeated entrenchment of neoliberalism - just ask Syriza.  But at least they are trying, at least they have put our biggest issue at the forefront of public consciousness.

This still doesn't make me a committed SNP fan.  I have serious concerns about their tendencies towards over centralisation, and increasing disdain for civil liberties with regard to public data (all too reminiscent of the way New Labour totally lost the plot ten years ago).  But in bringing inequality to the forefront, and making it central to what they do, they have shown themselves to be the most progressive force amongst the major UK parties.  If, as polls suggest, they end up being a major influence in Westminster after 7 May, their vision may end up benefiting more than just the people of Scotland.