It was, in the end, a limp and whimpering retreat. Embarrassing for the Minister, Maree Todd, left to proclaim the end of the National Care Service. Embarrassing for the government she represents. In vain did Ms Todd suggest the concept was merely “paused”. She knew. Hostile opponents knew. Her own chums on the SNP benches knew. The flagship National Care Service is finished.

Remember, the initial intention was to replace council care with a Scotland-wide system. To end the postcode lottery of varying local provision. To help the NHS by easing elderly patients out of hospital.

Indeed, the plan was billed by its author, Nicola Sturgeon and, with variable enthusiasm, by her two successors as the equivalent of the creation of the NHS after World War II. Apocalyptic, ground-breaking, transformational.

But it ended in softly-voiced ignominy. With a statement which Sandesh Gulhane of the Tories called “hapless and tone-deaf”. Bit brutal, perhaps, as was his suggestion that the SNP front bench was populated by a “shower of charlatans”.

Read more by Brian Taylor:

Understandable, though. Three years of preparation for this plan have cost nearly £30m. Opposition MSPs counted the ways this could have been spent on caring for Scotland’s ageing population.

To be frank, I have been sceptical about the National Care Service from the outset. It seemed to me likely to end up in a bureaucratic reshuffling of management – when what was needed were more carers. Tackling the myriad of problems besetting those in need.

Also, the ideology seemed questionable. This is not entirely like the NHS which was........

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