The SNP has long been celebrated and indeed marvelled for the way it has married the left leaning social justice and centre right fiscal conservative wings of the party. The collective focus of the independence referendum undoubtedly played a part in this discipline, but it speaks to their shared purpose that the entire parliamentary party (NATO rebels aside) has for nine years supported the centrist, moderate government: a government for whom the council tax freeze is as important as abolishing the bedroom tax to deliver social justice and a small business bonus is as crucial as free tuition fees to strengthen the economy.
However the party has, over the last three months, begun the leftward shift that many thought inevitable when Nicola Sturgeon took over from Alex Salmond.
Let’s take one example. The cost of operating is perhaps the biggest challenge facing business in Scotland, with the living wage and apprentice levy being added to business rates as cumulative costs. Retail figures from KPMG in January show Scottish sales decreasing by 3.8% compared with January 2015. The biggest monthly fall since 2012.
And while no one would credibly believe the government is looking to add to the challenges facing the retail sector, the decision to double the large business supplement, which will affect many retailers, shows the shift in political priorities.
Continuing this theme the First Minister announced earlier this week an increase in council tax for the most expensive homes in Scotland. Making it clear that the SNP believe those who can afford expensive homes, can also afford to pay more tax.
However, let’s not overstate this. This is not a move to the hard left and given her personal popularity, it is remarkable how restrained Nicola Sturgeon has been. But neither is this the SNP government of Alex Salmond. When the First Minister wins in May we can expect her to further develop her own path of centre left, redistributive politics. She will be mindful of the need to support economic growth, but perhaps more so of funding social programmes and investing in public services.