A political implosion in Scotland confirms an observation commonly made in military circles. In the aftermath of war, strategists look for lessons to be learned. Often lessons are identified, but seldom learned. Directed by governments, armies go on repeating the same mistakes until the entire operation fails, as it did after 20 years in Afghanistan.
The choice of a new SNP leader replicates this pattern. Nicola Sturgeon secured Humza Yousaf as her successor because he promised to carry on her policies. Her understudies have now acclaimed the appointment of her protégé John Swinney, leader of the party from 2000 to 2004 and another continuity candidate. But continuity in the SNP means continuing decline, the reduction of a once hegemonic party to a spent and marginal force, and the end of the independence project for the foreseeable future.
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