To complicate matters the union flag flies every day on the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh alongside the Saltire, and the European flag.

BBC: When the union flag can fly at city hall but not at Stormont

Then, there's Scottish mismanagement of major infrastructure projects, from parliament building to trams.

BBC: Scotland Doomed by Comic Economics

It would deprive the Scottish Labour Party of its best-regarded (by the voters) public face at a time when it should be building up for the elections to the Scottish parliament.

ECONOMIST: Scottish Labour Party