I'm not a Nat, but congratulations must go to the SNP for ending tenants' right to buy for new housing built by councils and social landlords. Given the ongoing housing crisis, it's a move that's long overdue and a an issue that should have been tackled by Labour long before now - the best of our public (yes, it belonged to us all) housing stock has long since gone. Labour consistently shied away from making what might have been seen to have been an unpopular decision, however, and once again the SNP are seen as an active, energetic government who are willing to get things done.
The SNP are also giving help to first-time buyers, and a phrase I hate - 'housing ladder' - is used again. Yes, more people now aspire to own their own homes rather than rent, but does it have to be a 'ladder' with people aspiring to bigger and bigger and more expensive houses, all about making profits? Personally I would prefer to see support for those who are unlikely to be able to afford their own homes - those people for whom a house is a roof over their heads and a safe place to live, other than those who see bricks and mortar as a nice little earner.
Critics trot out the line that the SNP are simply adopting 'populist' policies, but honestly - what's wrong with taking decisions that are popular with voters?
Six months into the new parliament the SNP have hardly put a foot wrong. Opposition in Holyrood has been - let's be kind here - fairly weak, and Salmond's biggest challenge appears to be a media hostile to independence. Things won't always be so straightforward for the SNP, of course - some tough (and unpopular) spending decisions will be made later this month as the SNP tries to get it's budget through parliament. There are toughter times ahead.
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