Inspiration or perspiration?

What can one say about the First Minister's address on the new legislative programme? How Mr McConnell displayed his rhetorical skills? How he demonstrated the coherence of a programme that will double the maximum penalty for carrying a knife, that will create new powers to ban fizzy drinks from schools and that will update, simplify and extend (all at the same time) crofting legislation? Here are his opening flourishes (and, if you think the punctuation looks odd in places or the occasional finite verb is missing, blame the orator's speechwriter):

"Presiding officer.
Today, I want to make a statement outlining the Executive's programme until 2007.
It is a programme:
• for justice and respect
• to ensure no child is left behind or held back
• for health improvement
• and for growing economic prosperity for all of Scotland to share
A programme based on a vision of a strong and ambitious Scotland and a Scotland where today's opportunities are not just available to some but accessible by all Scots whatever their background or culture.
It is a tough and challenging series of actions for the remaining 19 months of this parliament.
But first Presiding Officer. This is the first time parliament has met since G8 Scotland. The outcome of that summit surpassed the expectations of many.
For Africa in particular, significant progress was made. And I am proud of the way in which Scotland responded - to what was an incredibly challenging week.
I would like to put on record my thanks to all those who made it such a success."

Shame that the First Minister has not read this morning's Guardian (here), which makes it clear that the minimal success of the G8 Summit has subsequently crumbled into dust.

Then there is the magnificent peroration to the speech:

"In conclusion. Halfway though a parliamentary session, the easy thing for a coalition government to do is to settle down into the delivery of a partnership agreement.
This programme is intended to break that mould. This coalition has the partnership agreement as a minimum requirement. It does not reflect the scale of all the things we want to do.
Devolution is working for Scotland. We are a country that is on the way back up. And now we are aiming for the to go further. [sic]
Our economy can - and will be more successful. More people will share in that success. Young Scots will have an array of opportunities open to them. Our communities will be safer and respect will be restored.
A vision for Scotland - the best small country in the world."

Why does he want to break the mould of the partnership agreement? And would it not be better to focus on delivery rather than on vision? And is being a country that is on the way back up consistent with being the best small country in the world? My ambition may be limited, but I think I would settle for being a bit better than we are, rather than seeking to be the best and failing.