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Aidan O'Neill QC gives an almost psychological explanation of how the distance of Edinburgh from London allows the Scottish courts to have perspective and see when a government action is just wrong. I like it! Different to Pannick's more 'high principle' approach
I like it because I think the elephant in the room is the wider historical and political (as opposed to purely legal) significance of this case, and though the courts may not want to engage with that, as a constitutional court it is a relevant part of the picture
O'Neill, like me, likes the Supreme Court carpet, which was specially designed to include the four symbols of the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom
O'Neill knows that not all the Supreme Court Justices will like this. But he is speaking to the people watching too (playing to the gallery, but in a good way) - and is saying to the court 'you must understand, and take seriously, your place in our country's politics and history'
Also, Pannick has done the heavy lifting already so he can go a bit off grid
I'm inspired, I am half tempted to run outside waving a Union Jack with Lady Hale's face in the middle, and singing God Save the Queen, but I'm actually going to turn Aidan off, get a coffee and back to work (-:
