If past behaviour is the best indicator of future behaviour, then the first conversation Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has with the UK’s incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, will be predictable, and ultimately fruitless.

Mr Swinney will say that the SNP won a landslide victory in the recent Scottish Parliament election on a pledge to hold a second independence referendum, and that the Scottish Parliament has a larger pro-independence majority than at any time in its history. Ergo, Mr Burnham’s first move in office would be to deny Scotland’s democratic will.

Mr Burnham will retort that at the 2024 General Election in Scotland, Labour won a landslide victory on a platform, at least partly, of not having a second independence referendum, and furthermore that Mr Swinney planted his flag on turf marked ‘SNP majority’ and is seeking to move that flag retrospectively.

So, Mr Swinney will ask Mr Burnham to grant the Scottish Parliament temporary powers under Section 30 of the Scotland Act, in order for the Scottish Parliament to exercise those powers to grant a legal referendum. And Mr Burnham will say no.

I know what Scotland really needs - more MSPs at Holyrood

The government has to pick a lane - high tax or high growth

A Sturgeon inquiry won’t help us in the long run

Enough is enough - Scotland needs new political parties to emerge

However, there is an alternative world in which both men engage in a more strategic, mature conversation which would suit both individuals, both their parties and both their constitutional ideologies.

This would involve Mr Swinney parking the idea of a second independence referendum, and instead focussing his energy on the idea of a new........

© Herald Scotland