Ian Blackford proudly stood alongside Joanna Cherry just weeks before the SNP NEC blocked her political ambitions THE Tories, like other Unionist parties, are obsessed with talking about independence. On the other hand, the SNP are obsessed with talking about gender self-ID, the Hate Crime Bill, Joanna Cherry MP and Alex Salmond – not necessarily in that order. Politicians can say and do dreadful things in private before showing a more angelic face to the public. Even more so if they are keen to hold onto power. They are helped by loyal supporters who will swear blind when defending the indefensible that they are not suffering from amnesia when recalling political issues. In other words, don’t go against the political grain if you want a political career in the party of your choice.