High noon for the Union?

John Curtice

doi:10.1111/newe.12217

Abstract

Next May, the SNP will be defending a fourteen year record in office in Edinburgh. Typically, governments find it difficult to secure electoral success in such circumstances. The 'costs of government' – the almost inevitable gap between a party's initial promises and voters' perceptions of what has actually been achieved – usually take their toll at the ballot box (Green and Jennings, 2017). Yet, even though the SNP administration has had its fair share of difficulties and disappointments during its now lengthy time in office, just how well it has met the challenges of the last 14 years may come to matter little in voters' minds when they decide how to cast their ballot.

Highlights

I n May 2021, the Scottish National Party (SNP) will be defending a 14-year record in office in Edinburgh
Even though the SNP administration has had its fair share of difficulties and disappointments during its lengthy time in office, just how well it has met the challenges of the past 14 years may come to matter little in voters’ minds when they decide how to cast their ballot
Winter 2020 | 3 that appealed to its new-found electoral base in last year’s election with promises to ‘level up’ has found itself having to struggle with a major public health crisis that has exposed some of the inequalities in our society and forced it to intervene in the economy and social life to an extent that makes many Conservatives feel uncomfortable