Settling Down

With seven times more MPs than either of its nearest rivals (whenever there is now a Lib Dem on anything, ask why there is not also someone from the DUP, since each has eight MPs), it is no wonder that the SNP is eyeing what might now be called the Scottish corridor, together with the third Whips' Office, a seat on every select committee, two chairmanships, four opposition supply days, a question at each departmental question time, and a weekly PMQ.

There is even talk of the appointment of Alex Salmond to the Intelligence and Security Committee. But then, the only reason to want the third Whips' Office is as a base from which to do deals with the occupants of the other two. Look out for future Honours Lists. Look out for peerages. Yes, they will. Why wouldn't they?

The Order of the British Empire was developed in no small measure in order to clutch the emerging Labour Movement to the bosom, and it is has worked extremely well at that. At the more elite level, the same was historically true of the Order of Companions of Honour. Perhaps it is time for some kind of Order of Saint Andrew, or Order of the Saltire, or what have you? Not for any one party, obviously. But used very much in order to include it.