What a scoop for the Courier and its Political Editor Kieran Andrews landing not only an in-depth interview with the former First Minister Alex Salmond but bagging him as a weekly columnist.
However its not what Salmond has said in his interview that is of interest but the fact that he has agreed to it in the first place.
With his interview and column appearing in sister DC Thomson title the Aberdeenshire Press and Journal, whose circulation lo and behold covers Gordon, it appears Salmond’s electioneering has begun today.
Though what this interview, and subsequent column agreement tells us, is that his pursuit to become Gordon’s MP in May is not a straight forward matter as one might have expected.
In 2010 the SNP finished second in the constituency-6, 748 votes behind the Liberal Democrats. As we know the Liberals fortunes have faltered since then and that majority will be cut but it is not clear that Salmond will be able to do it. Indeed, one Political Editor of a Scottish daily newspaper predicted to me this week that he won’t win the seat.
Furthermore, this area heavily voted ‘No’ in the referendum. If ordinary unionists were smart on the ground they’d vote for the Liberal Democrat candidate, Christine Jardine, to ensure a unionist MP is returned. That would require Labour voters, well usually Labour voters, hold their nose at the ballot box and vote Liberal Democrat-not exactly easy.
This interview and subsequent column therefore represent a sign of worry in the Salmond camp. He’s got a hell of a fight to win Gordon, and the fight has started today.
