Exactly, SEN indeed requires another unbiased carrier to show some confidence in starting services.
No prizes for guessing that is exactly what Stobart have been trying to achieve but without success. This doesn't mean that Stobart have done anything wrong thus their own attempt to stimulate demand using Cityjet and now Flybe.
Stobart getting desperate or a shrewd move is open to debate but if they get it wrong it will burn a big hole in their pockets.