So much of devolution has been dominated by the rivalry between the SNP and Scottish Labour.
The two foes disagree profoundly on independence and this schism has clouded their interactions. Personality clashes between senior figures on both sides have further soured an already poor relationship.
But the irony is that the SNP and Labour are similar on many policy issues outside of the constitutional question. Both are on the centre-left and believe in redistribution to help the poorest in society.
Both believe in an active government, publicly-funded services and equality. Former SNP health secretary Jeane Freeman is correct to flag up a potential deal after the next Holyrood election.
All the recent opinion polls show Nigel Farage’s Reform is in line to make a massive breakthrough next year. Reform are wreckers and this right- wing party will try to undermine the parliament from day one.
Unless the SNP and Labour work closely together, the politicians who will have the whip hand next year will be Farage and Tory leader Russell Findlay. The alternative is for Anas Sarwar and John Swinney to work together on issues they agree on.
Both believe in the principle of a national care service and yet were unable to produce a joint scheme. Freeman is right to describe this failure as “sad” but it was also avoidable.
Recent Budget talks have seen the SNP, Lib Dems and Greens unite to get a deal done. The next parliament needs a similar level of cooperation between Sarwar and Swinney.
Shattered glass
The deposit return scheme was a good idea that quickly turned into a nightmare. The rush to impose the policy, without properly considering the concerns raised by smaller retailers, ultimately caused the whole project to collapse.
But the fallout from this botched idea is far from over. Biffa, the waste management firm, has now been given approval to sue the Scottish Government. If the case goes against SNP ministers, the taxpayer could be on the hook for £166million.
At a time of massive strain on public finances, it goes without saying that this would be a humiliating end to a recycling scheme that could have been a success.
Given the initial support for the policy, consensus should have been built between businesses and government. Instead, a huge opportunity has been missed. And the government could be made to pay even more for what is already a very expensive mistake.
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