That which does not kill us makes us stronger, said Friedrich Nietzsche. In that case, Ed Miliband should surely be transforming into The Incredible Hulk but I guess some things aren’t always quite so literal.
The SNP has done a good job of bouncing back from the referendum result, which had the potential to seriously wound the party.
Indeed, Scottish politics looks like it might be moving into a healthier place with the great big vote behind us.
Since 2007 the prospect of a referendum then eventually of independence itself has overshadowed almost everything else going on, or at the very least been at the back of everyone’s minds.
Now the great democratic decision has been taken and it looks like Holyrood is going to get more powers on the back of it.
Nicola Sturgeon’s reign as First Minister has started with a reshuffle and it will be interesting to see how her new cabinet team gets on with improving the country.
Hopefully we’re about to see an improvement in her opposition as well. Ruth Davidson had an excellent referendum and the Tory leader looked impressive as she jokingly jousted with Sturgeon and stood for FM just so there was a contest at Holyrood.
She has improved almost immeasurably in the last couple of years and is a formidable operator.
Willie Rennie has also stepped up to the plate and the Lib Dems have done a good job of scrutinising justice policy and campaigning over issues such as childcare.
The big question is: can Scottish Labour rejuvenate itself to offer a viable alternative to the SNP? Whoever is elected leader has a tough task ahead of them but it is important the party is sorted out and offers some kind of real vision.
Whether you agree with them politically or not, Scotland needs a strong opposition to hold the government to account. It’s time to step up.
* LIB DEM leader Willie Rennie is back to work after having a disc in his neck replaced in an operation too gruesome to describe in a family newspaper but he returned with a conspiracy theory.
Bumping into Alex Neil in Holyrood’s coffee stop, he felt compelled to ask the former Health Secretary: “Did you intervene in my operation?”
Why? Well, there were two options for what was being shoved in the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP’s back. One cost £2,000, but he ended up with the £500 disc!
In all seriousness, Willie has been full of praise for the care he received at Ninewells, from both the nurses and his consultant Mr Ballantyne. Plus, he loved the views of the Tay he got from his ward.
* OH DEAR, what has become of the Labour Party? How do they win back voters? With Turner Prize winning bribes, apparently.
A funding-raising bid basically revolves around the fact “all-round creative genius” Grayson Perry has designed a canvas bag.
How do you get it? Donate £19 towards Labour’s general election campaign. Do they think their remaining supporters are zipped up the back?
* ONE FAMED author, poet and perhaps most importantly tabloid journalist added another string to his bow recently when he was granted a Coat of Arms by the Court of the Lord Lyon.
This makes Broughty Ferry’s own Andrew Nicoll, of The Sun, a “virtuous and well-deserving person” so it’s no wonder that, alongside assembled correspondents celebrating the achievement, some top parliamentary recognition was also given.
In other words, Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick nipped along for a biscuit and to offer her congratulations!
* THURSDAY NIGHT was the Scottish Politician of the Year awards do, with Nicola Sturgeon unsurprisingly claiming the top gong.
Honourable mention must go to Ruth Davidson, who won Debater of the Year in large part thanks to her wonderful and moving speech on equal marriage.
There were quite a few wee funnies throughout the night and even some which can be printed. SNP MSP Jim Eadie held a surgery in his Edinburgh constituency wearing a full tuxedo, whilst Green leader Patrick Harvie stole the fashion show with a magnificent deep red velvet smoking jacket, which I believe he picked up for £20.
Labour’s Hugh Henry’s Committee MSP of the Year award included a mini wind turbine from ScottishPower. Somewhat predictably, the model’s blades fell off as he left the stage. Murdo Fraser chuckled wryly.
Best line of the night, though, went to Alistair Darling as he accepted his Lifetime Achievement award. Addressing Royal Bank of Scotland, one of the event’s sponsors, he simply quipped: “I used to own you.”