There’s something almost theatrical about watching politicians reinvent themselves. With the Scottish Parliament election set for May 7th, a parade of SNP MPs are suddenly discovering that their true calling was Holyrood all along. Westminster? Never really suited them, apparently.
I’ve been watching this unfold with a mix of amusement and genuine concern. Nicola Sturgeon stepping down, Humza Yousaf gone, Kate Forbes out, and a string of government ministers following behind them. This isn’t a reshuffle — it’s an exodus. After 27 years of SNP dominance in Scottish politics, we’re watching a generational shift happen in real time.
The Westminster-to-Holyrood pipeline tells you everything you need to know. These are experienced politicians who can read the room. They see the polls. They know what’s coming at Westminster, and they’d rather take their chances closer to home. Can you blame them? Probably not. But let’s not pretend it’s anything other than what it is — survival.
Reform UK: The Elephant in the Room
Here’s the bit that should really make everyone sit up. Reform UK is now polling as the third most popular party in Scotland. Third. In Scotland. Projected at 17.1% of constituency votes, they’ve overtaken the Conservatives. I’ll say that again because it bears repeating — Reform UK is more popular than the Tories north of the border.
Whatever your politics, that’s a seismic shift. The unionist vote is fragmenting, the SNP is haemorrhaging talent, and Scottish Labour is trying to position itself as the sensible choice in the middle. May’s election isn’t going to be predictable, and that alone makes it worth paying attention to.
My take? The candidates jumping from Westminster to Holyrood aren’t rats leaving a sinking ship. They’re more like passengers switching lifeboats — hoping the one they’re climbing into has fewer holes. We’ll find out on May 7th whether they chose wisely.