The SNP’s useless new leader is no laughing matter

It is tempting, especially for Unionists, to hoot at the SNP’s choice of Humza Yousaf as its new leader. Already dubbed “Humza Useless” – by nationalists who decided not to support him – Mr Yousaf has made a brilliant start from the perspective of his opponents, internal and external.

His decision to offer an insultingly minor job to Kate Forbes, his defeated and probably more able opponent, when assembling his new cabinet is a mark of the man. It amuses him to spend British taxpayers’ money on a minister for independence, someone as useful as a minister for chocolate teapots. And although a main failing of the SNP – apart from its administration of the National Health Service in Scotland, which until last week was Mr Yousaf’s responsibility – is a catastrophic transport policy that has nearly cut off some of the Western Isles, he has declined to appoint a transport minister.

The SNP is horribly divided. Although some claim that Labour might win up to 20 seats in Scotland (where it currently holds only one) as a result of the governing party’s grotesque incompetence, a combination of tribalism and historic dislike of a corrupt Labour establishment in Scotland may prevent that, however badly Mr Yousaf performs.

However, serious Unionists, whatever their party, should be careful about crowing or gloating over the SNP’s apparent misfortune. What is bad for them, while they govern Scotland, is bad for Scotland. And since Scotland is likely to be part of the Union for a long time, and the SNP hypocritically tell themselves that their rank mismanagement will always result in their being bailed out by the English taxpayer, the party’s incompetence and Scotland’s consequent misfortune becomes England’s expense.

The sooner an end is put to this nonsense the better. Some Scots are well aware of the SNP’s shortcomings and have stopped supporting it. Its heartland, paradoxically, is what was once known as Red Clydeside, and the safest of Labour areas. Hard-line Bolsheviks motivated by the militancy that characterised Nicola Sturgeon will not be tempted to desert the SNP by the milk-and-water socialism that Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour specialises in. But perhaps they should consider how long the gravy train fantasy to which they subscribe has to run before it implodes entirely, and start to consider the alternatives.

But above all the Conservative Party, whose ship has been steadied in England since Rishi Sunak took power, has much to gain from engaging with the Scots: not to tell them how singularly incapable “Mr Useless” and company are, for Scotland seems well aware of that, but to make a positive case for the Union and for free market economics.

Too many Scots have accepted the preposterous idea, peddled by the SNP, of England as a colonial oppressor rather than as a partner with Scotland in British success. And too many have disregarded the possibilities of capitalism for enriching not just a few, but eventually all Scots. Only the Conservative Party can plausibly offer that prospect: but the Scots themselves will not grasp the point unless someone makes the argument to them. Only the Conservatives can do that with any conviction. Mr Yousaf’s arrival is the optimal moment for them to make the case for the Union and for themselves, and to do so relentlessly.