The Scottish paradox: more basis for independence than in 2014 but less political force

Despite the opposite result to Scottish independence in the referendum ten years ago (18 September), between 2012 and 2014 there was a seismic shift in the country's politics. The institutional power of the SNP, the magnetic figure and populist point of Prime Minister Alex Salmond - one of the great political animals of the last thirty years on the islands - and a very mobilized base - including the popular classes - eager to get rid of Conserva…