It was, I presume, intended to be a Bad Cop / Good Cop routine. Shona Robison, as Finance Secretary, was detailed to alarm us with talk of spending cuts.

Then enter John Swinney to offer a supportive arm and a message of uplifting reassurance.

Only it didn’t work out quite as planned. Ms Robison seemed, understandably, more apprehensive than aggressive. And the First Minister, while dispensing hope, was still obliged to give ground, including on primary school meals.

Welcome to contemporary governance. Post Covid. Post cost of living crisis. Mid global conflict.

And so the Manichean role-play by Scottish ministers failed to land. Then again, Mr Swinney and Mr Robison definitely contrived to convey a series of key messages.

Forget Bad Cop / Good Cop. Consider instead another political dichotomy. The declared aim of the Scottish Government is to eradicate child poverty. But how?

Is that objective best achieved by tax and spend? By raising more money from devolved income tax, increased council (or property) tax and possibly a wealth tax? Then distributing the cash to those who are struggling.

Or is it best achieved by encouraging enterprise in order to grow Scotland’s economy? To provide jobs, and enhanced revenue from existing tax rates, spending that cash upon anti-poverty measures.

In essence, this is – or should be – the core of contemporary Scottish discourse. And it is a central element of the internal disquiet which has beset the SNP.

Not, I stress, the only element. That debate derives from other issues. Leadership, party governance, anxiety over that endless police inquiry into SNP finance – and above all, arguments........

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