Devolution over?
Devolution is over. Says who? The first minister, that's who.
Setting out his new legislative programme, Alex Salmond argued that only independence could now reverse economic decline.
In essence, his case was that such gains as there have been under devolved self-government are at an end.
Mr Salmond did not seem quite at his most forceful best. He appeared troubled by a frog in his throat.
Perhaps, too, there was a lingering effect from another beast: the dog that didn't bark.
Because, as billed, the first minister's legislative programme does not include provision for a referendum on independence.
However, I would not wish to overstate all this. Even a little short of max drive, the first minister is a highly effective politician.
Final session
There was substance, too, to the programme: the measures on Scottish Water, double jeopardy, housing, forced marriages.
None, however, quite provides a defining leitmotif for the final session of this SNP government.
That comes in two forms: the attempt to wrestle with spending cuts via the Budget Bill. And the absent referendum.
In essence, Mr Salmond conjoined the two. His government, he said, would cope as capably as possible with the necessity to produce a balanced spending programme within a fixed budget.
At the same time, they would appeal to the voters for an enhanced mandate in order to enable them to to revive the notion of a referendum, thwarted by opponents.
Pointed attack
It would not be independence for its own sake - but to build the economy. In that sense, the SNP campaign will not be purely about independence - but primarily about the economy and public expenditure.
Also as billed, Mr Salmond's move on the referendum left him open to ridicule from his opponents.
Labour's Iain Gray deployed humour to substantial effect in lampooning the FM. The words were well-chosen, the attack pointed and effective.
Of course, oppositional attack has its limits. Sooner or later, as the budget controversy develops, Labour will come under pressure to declare its own hand with regard to spending plans.
I'm 
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