SINCE they first became the party of Government following a narrow victory in 2007, the SNP have appeared to defy all the rules of political gravity as they apply to every other party. 

Events catch up with you, sections of the electorate desert you in response to policy decisions or administrative failure. The popularity of the leader, both within the country and within the party they lead, starts to slip; often to fatal levels. From whatever high water mark the party reaches, the only way is down.

The SNP, to the contrary, have ridden a wave since 2007 and, following the 2014 referendum an, immovable block of around 45% has been theirs to take for granted. No policy or personal failing has dented that support because Scottish politics has become determined by a single over-arching issue rather than any balanced or critical examination of the SNPs record in Government.

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During this period the SNP has had two popular and, in their own different ways, charismatic leaders. The fact that they are now at war with each other, effectively calling each other liars may finally burst the Teflon coated bubble in which the SNP has flourished these past fourteen years. Nicola Sturgeon herself may finally discover the truth of that old adage that “all political lives end in failure, because that is the nature of politics and of human affairs.”

I will not comment further on the current investigations other than to say that I suspect both the major actors are now far more concerned with their personal legacies than with illuminating the truth.

All of which gets me to the situation here in Glasgow. On March 18th we have two by-elections, one in Partick East/Kelvindale and the other in Baillieston. These elections are being held in unique and difficult circumstances, the turnout could be frighteningly low despite all efforts to encourage postal voting. Personally, I wish the elections could have been delayed until most lockdown restrictions had been lifted and voters could visit their polling station without any fear that their health might be compromised.

For those who do vote on the 18th I sincerely hope that they vote on the basis of what is happening here in Glasgow, not on blind loyalty to some constitutional preference. These are the first by-elections under the current city administration and should be the opportunity to hold that administration to account. The Labour candidates, Jill Brown in Partick and Willie Docherty in Baillieston, are both emphasising the extent to which basic services here in Glasgow are failing. Years of cuts to our budgets and lack of investment have brought us to a point where the city is going backwards. 

Our streets are strewn with litter, our roads are full of potholes, our parks are turning into unkempt wildernesses. 

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We need councillors that will stand up for Glasgow not simply nod through another £15 million in cuts at the behest of a Scottish government with other priorities and a First Minister struggling for survival.

The message to everyone in the city but particularly in Partick and Baillieston is clear; Glasgow deserves better.