Analysis: National manifesto, local poll – tough choices are universal

To be fair, that is what other Scottish parties have done, and is in many ways a reflection of the extent to which local elections have become semi-nationalised.

There is a special resonance in the way in which the SNP appears to have approached this exercise and the way in which it claims “SNP councils” – what-ever that might mean in an era of coalition and minority councils – will do over the next five years.

It is an open secret that there is a very close relationship between the party centre and the SNP groups of councillors on each of our councils.

Whether this takes the form of instruction, as some have claimed, or reflects a large, growing, cohesive and united team with its eyes on the ultimate prize, depends on your point of view.

Either way, it means that there are real implications for the manner in which all those councils will make decisions reflecting local circumstances or simply follow a template issue from Charlotte Square.

The substance of the manifesto is generally unsurprising; lots of good things promised and precious little mention made of any unpleasant choices that new councillors will face.

Of course, this is always the case with all parties but even more for a party keen to win the referendum in 2014; no horses are to be frightened between now and then.

However, even some of the good things may potentially have complex implications.

So, for example, lower-paid employees in SNP councils have a commitment to a living wage, which would be somewhat higher than the minimum wage. What is not discussed is whether that might vary from council to council – depending on the local cost of living.

Public service trade unions are deeply committed to common wage rates across councils so this might be an interesting and tricky part of any discussion, and given that some councils have still not fully resolved outstanding equal pay issues, this could become protracted.

One intriguing aspect of the manifesto is the promise to create a “carers’ champion” in every council. Unless told otherwise, I think we should assume this envisages some form of independent advocate/campaigner/gadfly; a novel and interesting development to follow.

But what is not mentioned in all of this, is the continuing squeeze on central government financial support to councils and how the new councils will react to this. My prediction to follow post 3 May is an even tougher pressure on all those services’ councils charge users for – and other charges they’ll try to introduce – and that from all parties in all councils.

• Professor Richard Kerley is an expert in public service management at Queen Margaret University.