Hope lives!

Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, yesterday:

Let me also say something about the Government's approach to law making. Despite waiting a very long time to govern, it is not our position that legislative change is always or often the best way to effect change… we will not have a default position that assumes that any problem—however big or small—should be resolved through legislation. That route can undermine public confidence. The Parliament must beware of being seen as too intrusive and too interventionist.

A Parliament's job is not only to legislate but to debate, to inquire, to hold to account and to understand. It is time for Government to become more efficient and more creative in the way that decisions are made. Our job in this Chamber is to lead and to persuade, not to impose unnecessary burdens on business, communities and individuals.

Granted, Salmond is running a minority administration that has its wings clipped before it can even fly, but still... Welcome stuff. Words are easy; actions tougher mind you. But this is at least a promising, refreshing start even if my cynicism can't help but recall that many of Salmond's MSPs eagerly supported piece after piece of rotten, liberty-eroding legislation during the long, dismal years of the Lib-Lab coalition.