al-Megrahi and the SNP?

Much has been written in the media over the past few days about the release of Abdelbasset Ali al-Magrahi on compassionate grounds. Magrahi is the only person found convicted of the 1989 Lockerbie terrorist attack, and apparently has few months to live because his has terminal cancer.

I don't intend to address the right and wrongs of this release, rather my focus is on the possible long term political fallout. I would be extremely interested in the views of Scottish people about whether this may have detrimental effect upon the reputation of the SNP.

My hypothesis is based on an understanding of political persuasion. We are often influenced by politicians in different ways on different issues. For some issues (or indeed some people) a political view is the result of a rational decision, but in other instances (and for other people) it is an emotional response. In essence, there is a potential conflict between whether the head or the heart shapes our political outlook on any one issue, politician or party. In reality it is rarely quite as simple, with both head and heart playing a role, but one may be more important than the other.

My suspicion is that many of us when faced with many policy issues, such as whether there should be an increase in taxes, take a rational or self-interested approach. We weigh up what we think by trying to assess the merits of the case (or the effect on us). However, there are some issues where the emotional response takes over. Moreover, it is quite likely that emotional based responses may actually have a greater impact on our personal impression of politicians and political decisions. If, I am correct that some people's perception of this case is based on emotion, then I suggest that this might have an impact on the view of the SNP by undecided voters.

I have no empirical evidence to back this up, and time will tell, but exercising power in the Scottish Parliament may adversely influence the SNP's chances at the next UK General Election.