Margo MacDonald (SNP MSP) has been issued a written warning to tow Alex Salmonds leadership line or face the consequences. Ian Blackford, the SNP treasurer, has already been suspended for maintaining an open position with the press on party finances.

This internal bickering is disappointing. What the Scots want and need is leadership from the SNP that lays out in black and white how we will gain our freedom from Westminster and how the SNP leadership will support its members wishes.

This hand slapping parliamentary whip behaviour is all too similar to Westminster politics for comfort.

Not everyone wants the gradual separation from the "Union", I think even those who propose this are really too afraid to commit to breaking the Union rapidly because of backlash tactics from London about 'rampant nationalism'.