After the general election, the pretence that the next big battle for independence is just around the corner will finally have run out of road.
The reason the Nationalists are suffering now is that despite a long run of uncommonly able leadership, and opponents perhaps less willing to defend the existence of their state than in any other country on earth, Scottish independence is just not a good idea.
The outgoing Prime Minister enjoyed calling his opponent Captain Crasheroonie Snoozefest and remaining impartial on the Tory succession.
We don’t read her as a quitter. And the next election may come as early as 2023. But if she does step down before it, you read it here first.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Tories double down on their referendum threat… whilst the SNP start to back off from the idea.
It helps the Nationalists avoid scrutiny of their record and undermines Johnson’s pledge not to grant another vote.
The best George Galloway’s party can hope to achieve is taking seats from other unionists. They’re more likely to hand them to separatists.
It might allow Sturgeon to focus on the progressive, europhile case for independence whilst Salmond rallies leavers and cultural conservatives.
For many, Brexit is a powerful justification for a new independence referendum. But this, too, works both ways.