The SNP create their own reality – and voters lap it up

First let’s look at this chart.

That’s Scotland’s fiscal position relative to that of the UK according to the latest IFS projections. It’s not a particularly bonny position though, of course, it is only a projection. Nevertheless, the picture is quite clear: fiscally-speaking Scotland gets a pretty good deal from the UK. An above-average contributor? Sure. But also, importantly, an above-average recipient. Scotland contributes (thanks to oil) like a tiny-London but receives like a mini-Northern Ireland. Nowhere else is like this.

Now have a keek at this:

Stephen Noon, you will recall, was one of the architects of the Yes Scotland campaign and someone, I hope he will not mind me saying, generally considered one of the sharper SNP blades.

Taken together these two tweets demonstrate why so many people find arguing with the Nats such an exhausting business. Because, you see, it ends up like this:

Jack: Look, these IFS numbers are pretty grim, aren’t they?

Nat: Not really.