In this period of economic and political turmoil, there can be a temptation to resort to apocalyptic language.

I will try to steer clear while noting that, in one conversation I held this week, my interlocutor cited Yeats: “Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold.”

This was said with a degree of dry irony. Yet the context of our discussion was clear. Global economic disruption occasioned by President Trump. And political turbulence in Europe, most notably the rise of the Right.

I have been looking this week at plans by John Swinney to hold a cross-party summit on the issue of political extremism. Asked whether he had Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in mind, the First Minister replied “yes”.

He told The Herald: “I don’t want to look back and say I didn’t do everything I could to sustain what I believe is a broadly shared view – that we aspire to be a welcoming, cohesive society.”

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And the response to his plan? In keeping with the mood of the times, somewhat variegated overall.

Reform UK rebut suggestions that they are extremists. Mr Farage has conceded that they have had problems with comments made by individual candidates but insists this will be tackled by tighter vetting.

A source within the party in Scotland told me that it was a “cheap shot” to call them extremist. The source added that the language used against them was “ludicrous”.

And those parties invited to the event? The Tories – who might be thought to be the main targets of Reform campaigning – seem decidedly reluctant to accept Mr Swinney’s invitation. They have........

© Herald Scotland