By Rab Bruce’s Spider

So after all the lies, the Tories have swept back into power thanks to an English electorate which seems oblivious to the harm the past nine years have done. Or perhaps they are very well aware but have been fooled into blaming the wrong people. Either way, the decision of English voters has once again condemned Scotland to Tory rule. And this is the very heart of the problem, except that it is now worse because today’s Tory Party bears more resemblance to the Brexit Party than to the Conservatives most of us grew up with. They are extremist hard-liners, and they are going to make life worse for everyone except the very rich.

If nothing else, the results from yesterday’s General election must surely tell everyone that Scotland and England are on very different paths. I really hope Nicola Sturgeon has a better plan than politely asking for a section 30 Order, because there is no way that will be approved. The Tories know Scottish votes don’t matter, so they have no incentive to agree to IndyRef2, especially as they will desperately need Scotland’s wealth once the harm of Brexit begins to really bite.

My main reaction, though, is one of desperate sadness. Even if Scotland does become a normal, self-governing country again, I am still going to feel sorry for the people of England. They may have brought this on themselves, but that doesn’t make the outcome any more palatable. But it does show that Scotland cannot save England from itself, and we need to look after ourselves now.