Salmond’s role in UK leadership debate

First minister could be a distraction

Published: 13/03/2010

It is difficult for many to accept Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond taking part in a UK leadership debate when he is not a contender for the prime minister’s job. His party did not even command the majority of votes cast in Scotland, but slipped past opposition parties, which were in disarray, to form a minority administration. Therefore, would his involvement in a UK context simply be an unnecessary and confusing distraction?

The election dynamics change dramatically north of the border when the SNP is factored in, particularly since its upsurge in popularity. In general elections, people voted SNP to bring a distinctly Scottish voice to bear in Westminster, but the continuous evolution of devolved power is changing the Scottish context even more. The broadcasters have already offered a Scottish version of the UK leaders’ debate, which acknowledges the Scottish context and brings the SNP into play. Mr Salmond’s critics often accuse him of grandstanding and he could be playing into their hands by refusing to back down.

Reader's Comments

Yes Salmond is grandstanding as usual. If he was still standing as a Westminster MP then fair enough. But he is not. His majority party in Scotland of 1 does not justify his stance. The whole last election was a very large fiasco. If he wants to do more for Scotland let him stand for a position at Westminster, he did far more good there for the country than he has done from Holyrood. Yes the title of First Minister has gone to his head and he will do anything to be seen. Not for the good of Scotland but the good of ALex Salmond.
minnie moan a lot
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The un-named writer says that in 2007 the SNP "did not command the majority of votes cast in Scotland, but slipped past the British Parties to form a minority administration". If he finds this unacceptable, perhaps he would care to look at how Labour gained power in the last UK General Election in 2005. Labour received just 35.2% of the vote in a 61% turnout. In Scotland, the first-past-the-post system was even kinder to the Red Rose party. They grabbed 40 of the 59 seats with just 38.9% of the votes on a 60% turnout. So it seems OK for Labour to "slip by", but not the SNP, for some reason. Alex Salmond is not standing for Westminster as, like his Party, he would prefer it to be the English Parliament in name as well as actions. However, in the coming campaign the First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should all be afforded equal status in any UK-wide debate. The SNP is really the only Scottish party, and Mr. Salmond is widely known for his debating skills. Put simply, the London powers-that-be just don't want to take the risk, do they?
Stuart West
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YOu do mean his posturing don't you. What debating skills. Shouting down everyone else, spouting nationalism but doing little about things. Just look at the backlog of promises broken. Yeah a great man, full of promises but very little on action.
minnie moan a lot
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