WHILE this year’s election was destined to be defined by independence, the urgency of recovery from the pandemic means that plans for “the day job” are more important than at any previous Holyrood contest. Covid has also forced a moment of policy renewal. The enormous government response to the pandemic has changed perceptions about what is politically possible – offering a useful opportunity for a party hoping for it’s fourth term in government to reset some of its approaches. The SNP manifesto is radical and ambitious, incorporating transformative big picture plans alongside smaller but eye-catching “motherhood and apple-pie” pledges – quite literally, with plans to improve every play park and to create community orchards.