With passing days, this Holyrood election becomes curiouser and curiouser. The issue is context. Firstly, global diplomacy and politics are in crisis. Not least over the catastrophic conflict in Iran – even though there may now be signs that President Trump is finally seeking an exit route.

Secondly, the political focus is firmly upon Westminster. I have noted previously that Keir Starmer’s position is unsustainable. Eventually, he must take responsibility for the rash and wrong decision to appoint Lord Mandelson to the UK’s top diplomatic posting, in Washington.

Now, literally incredibly, we are told that Mandelson failed security vetting – but without the knowledge of Downing Street. The response from Number 10? Deputy heads must roll. The PM stays but the Foreign Office loses its senior civil servant.

Thirdly, the discourse in Scotland is complex. It is driven by caution over tax which contrasts with disparately generous offers on spending. And now it is also driven by a carefully modulated restatement of the independence offer. Pay close attention to the nature of that offer from John Swinney. Remember that we are talking about ending the Union of 1707. It is a civil insurrection against the current British state, welcome to some, including his party’s faithful, anathema to others. But it is a carefully calibrated insurrection. In two ways.

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Firstly, Swinney places his plan very clearly in the context of serving mundane Scottish needs, of daily........

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