Not the last word
And so it would seem more than likely that the Scottish Parliament will vote on Thursday against a referendum on independence.
Instead of "", the cry will be "call it off". At least for now. There is, however, a fair degree of subtlety within these calculations.
The issue will arise tomorrow with a debate amendment from the Liberal Democrats.
The Lib Dems will argue that a referendum is unsupportable within the lifetime of the present Holyrood Parliament, given the need to focus solely upon the recession.
Labour are expected to reach broadly the same conclusion, depending upon the precise wording of the Lib Dem text.
Conservatives ditto, with the same proviso that they want to see the text.
The two parties, however, are in literal mood for different reasons. Labour is semi-permanently terrified of being seen as somehow "anti-Scottish" or anti populist if it stands out against a plebiscite.
Tougher image
Hence the guddle that followed Wendy Alexander's "bring it on" declaration. Hence the desire, even now, to be seen as pragmatically disinclined rather than utterly opposed in principle.
Tories, I suspect, would prefer to offer a tougher image as the party of the unalloyed Union.
At core, however, all three opposition parties know that standing out against giving the people a choice is not, customarily, a popular place to be.
For the Lib Dems, this is particularly difficult. Their membership is intrinsically inclined to give the people their say.
So they will not rule out a referendum for all time. Only for the present parliament. Who knows, it might even form an element in future coalition talks.
Which leaves the SNP where? Firstly, they know that Thursday's vote, if it goes as outlined above, is symbolic.
It is not the last word - but it is perhaps a further indication of what the last word might be when (and it is still when) Alex Salmond presents his Referendum Bill to parliament next year.
Economic duress
Forget any thought of him ditching it. This is .
He will present a bill - and challenge other parties to support or oppose it.
And if they continue to oppose? I suspect he will not be entirely disquieted. Not because he has gone cool on independence. Quite the contrary.
Rather, because he believes it might take longer to convince the sceptics within the Scottish population, particularly at a time of economic duress.
And think of it this way. Can't you just see Alex Salmond making that speech in future? In an election campaign?
The one that says: "We wanted to give you, the people, a choice - and they, my opponents, have combined to stop us."
I think he might just permit himself a quiet grin as he delivers that one.
I'm 
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