Tricky stuff, leadership. As First Minister and SNP leader, John Swinney faces two versions of that challenge, simultaneously.

Sometimes those twin challenges will gel. What appeases the broad electorate may also content his party’s more zealous activists.

However, sometimes there will be a competitive dilemma. The party may want to prioritise an objective which is seemingly of less significance to voters en masse.

As always, to govern is to choose. For heads of government, the daily focus will be mostly upon the decisions to be made in pursuit of an administration’s declared objectives. On the economy, on public services, on the environment.

But partisan considerations never subside entirely. Sensible leaders are aware that their mandate emerges from popular support for their party.

Plus there is an election pending. Every single political debate takes place in the context of Scottish Parliament elections, due in May next year.

John Swinney is entitled to a modicum of contentment. He has stabilised his party’s public standing, reviving its relative position in the polls.

Partly, that is down to sensible, focused governance. Partly, it is down to a decision to sideline divisive issues such as gender reform, where he can.

Partly, it is down to problems confronting rivals. Another MSP, Jeremy Balfour, quits the Tories, decrying “reactionary politics”. Labour’s support in Scotland declines, driven by disquiet with decisions taken at Westminster by the Prime Minister and Chancellor.

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