Humza Yousaf displayed his Humpty Dumpty tendencies in his first conference speech as SNP leader. Referring to building a “fairer society” and wanting to “make Scotland a fairer and more prosperous country”, he claimed that the SNP had used its time in government to “cement our social contract with the people.  A contract that says, yes, those who earn the most should pay the most”.

Then without any embarrassment came the proclamation: “I can announce to the people of Scotland that, next year, your council tax will be frozen”. The superfluous “I can announce” is standard rhetoric signalling a big announcement but usually follows logically from what had just been said.

Only the blindly loyal could fail to see the inconsistency. A council tax freeze will benefit the better off that while requiring cuts in public services. As theatre goes, the speech combined farce with tragedy.

Want to see Scotland under the SNP?