Hamish Macdonell 
Salmond goes for the surprise referendum date
Always the showman, Alex Salmond did the unexpected today when he announced that the referendum on Scottish independence would be held on Thursday September 18 2014. He knew everyone was… Continue reading
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Salmond caught on the rock of Europe
Europe, so often the rock on which Conservative hopes foundered, is now causing considerable trouble for Alex Salmond. The Scottish First Minister has long campaigned for Scottish separation under the… Continue reading
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Alex Salmond, Scotland’s longest serving First Minister
So Alex Salmond has achieved the feat of becoming Scotland’s longest serving First Minister. This is a notable achievement. After all, he has avoided the fate of one of his predecessors… Continue reading
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Salmond’s darkest day could be yet to come
For years Scotland has been waiting to see when his luck would run out – well, now it has. Alex Salmond: gambler, tipster, political animal and First Minister now has another… Continue reading
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Spectator debate: Scotland’s energy policy is just hot air
Donald Trump and the world’s first ‘professor of carbon capture’ clashed last night in the Spectator’s first debate in Edinburgh over the motion : as they sparred over the contentious motion… Continue reading
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Alex Salmond booed by crowd in Glasgow
Roman emperors famously used to have a slave to ride behind them in their chariots during victory parades to remind them, by whispering in their ear, that they were only… Continue reading
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Yes campaign launch will cause problems — for the independence movement
Some of those who queued outside the Cineworld multiplex in Edinburgh for this morning’s Yes for Independence launch found it hard to contain their chortles. There, hanging above the door… Continue reading
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Labour succeeds in slowing Salmond’s advance
This was the election which was supposed to establish the SNP as Scotland’s new national party, replacing Labour as the default party of choice for Scottish voters. This was also… Continue reading
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A pair of tycoons has put Salmond on uncertain ground
Alex Salmond may feel he got a lot from cosying up to both Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump but, wow, is he paying the price. The front page of today’s… Continue reading
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Cameron’s risky move could play into Salmond’s hands
Not many politicians would conjure up the spectre of Alec Douglas-Home to scare the Prime Minister, but that is exactly what Alex Salmond did today — to some effect. The… Continue reading
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Salmond lays the ground for his referendum
So now we have it: the ten words which Alex Salmond hopes will end Scotland’s 300-year-old membership of the United Kingdom. ‘Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent… Continue reading
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Osborne sparks the unionists’ fightback
Edinburgh It became clear last night why George Osborne was put in charge of the Coalition Government’s fightback against Alex Salmond and separatism: he is the only one who has… Continue reading
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Salmond’s running rings around Cameron
Edinburgh If anyone had any doubts why Alex Salmond picked up almost every UK political award going last year, then they should study how he has dealt with the referendum… Continue reading
84 CommentsThe SNP hit the jackpot
Some political leaders might be a bit hesitant when it comes to approaching lottery winners in the hope of securing some of their dosh for the party cause – but… Continue reading
42 CommentsEuro crisis knocks Salmond off course
A few years ago, SNP strategists coined the slogan ‘independence in Europe’. They don’t champion it too much now, for obvious reasons. To put it bluntly: they are in a… Continue reading
49 CommentsThe Irn Lady
Ruth Davidson was reluctant to say very much when she accepted the Scottish Conservative leadership this afternoon, insisting only that she wants to build up Tory party membership north of… Continue reading
34 CommentsSNP stretch lead over woeful opposition
How long will Alex Salmond’s honeymoon with the voters of Scotland continue? Given that his next mission is to hold and win an independence referendum, much depends on his popularity… Continue reading
33 CommentsFrontrunner for leadership wants to disband the Scottish Tory Party
It has to be one of the most astonishing – not to mention bold and risky – moves ever attempted by a politician, of any colour. This morning Murdo Fraser,… Continue reading
45 CommentsA leadership contest might be just what the Scottish Tories need
That’s it, the full house. Alex Salmond has seen off all three main opposition party leaders before the Scottish Parliament has even convened for the first time in this new… Continue reading
24 CommentsSalmond sees out his rivals
Two down and one to go: that’s the score among the opposition leaders in the Scottish Parliament as the parties continue to sift through the wreckage left by the SNP… Continue reading
27 Comments