There are many things that the SNP does not want you to believe.

It does not want you to believe that this election was about independence.

This is despite former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon suggesting it would be a de facto referendum, and both her successors offering various iterations – by seats or by votes – of the same proposal.

This is despite independence being the fabled page one, line one offer of the SNP manifesto.

And it is despite SNP politicians – from John Swinney to Stephen Flynn – repeatedly saying a vote for the nationalists was a vote for independence.

The SNP also does not want you to believe that this election was about competence.

It was not about the record high NHS waiting lists under the SNP in Scotland, or the falling educational standards, or the decaying infrastructure.

It was not about Michael Matheson, the coalition with the Scottish Green Party or the campervan.

Instead, the election was about “UK-wide change” and a reaction against the Westminster status quo.

The SNP finally does not want you to believe that this election was about leadership.

John Swinney has, after all, only been in the job for a few months and cannot be held accountable for the mistakes........

© The Courier