I don't think it's too controversial to say that the most recent electoral success of the SNP last May was in spite of, rather than because of, how the majority of voters judged its record over recent years. It certainly wouldn't be the first time a government was elected because it was the least unpopular of the offers available. Just look at the post-Iraq War election of Labour in the 2005 UK General Election.

It is unlikely any time soon that the SNP is going to regain popularity to match the heady days of 2007 or 2015. Government is difficult and this particular government is operating, for all that opposition parties might pretend differently, in a highly challenging fiscal, economic and social climate.

In such circumstances, and with the Programme for Government imminent, the temptation for the First Minister may be to announce a flurry of Bills to set the tone for the next four years. You'll likely hear the same well-trodden lines we've heard before: "national mission", "guiding principles", "making Scotland the best place in the world to grow up".

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It's all policy wrapped in patter that promises jam tomorrow instead of action today.

The problem is this: after two decades of Programmes for Government, how many Bills does the SNP have left in the locker? Over the past two decades we have passed some very good Acts but also some rather bad Acts. The majority,........

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