The three candidates bidding to become the SNP’s next depute leader have been busy making their pitches to its growing number of members this week.
True, Stewart Hosie, Keith Brown and Angela Constance have been outlining their respective visions for the party almost since the moment it became apparent Nicola Sturgeon was going to succeed Alex Salmond to the top job, but that was in the aftermath of the referendum and during conference season so it got drowned out in the noise a bit.
Now people are paying attention, though. Stalls are being set out and there are some interesting tactics being used.
Constance made a cute start by getting her “Bambi” heels tweeted by Nicola Sturgeon cue ensuing social media and press coverage just a couple of days before announcing she was going to stand.
Hosie adopted Alex Salmond’s “hold Westminster’s feet to the fire” slogan as his own, given he is best placed to do just that as the only MP in the running.
Brown immediately had a series of prominent Nationalist politicians coming out in support for him as he focused on social justice early on.
Neat starts from each of the trio. Now, as we get into the substance of their arguments, the policy lines are being drawn for real.
All three already have their alliances within the SNP. Brown appears to have the majority of MSPs, for example, while Hosie has been able to unveil five out of six of the party’s MPs backing his campaign.
That means the real battleground, in many respects, is over those new to the party.
These people we have heard so much about who have contributed to the SNP’s membership soaring from around 25,000 on referendum day to more than 80,000 are crucial to those vying for the second top job.
Brown has outlined a vision of decision-making powers being devolved down the party to give local members more of a say through the likes of regional policy forums and an online policy discussion site.
Hosie and Constance, meanwhile, have talked of building a so-called “Yes Alliance”, where the SNP could back people from across the independence supporting spectrum, regardless of their party affiliation.
In this regard, the Dundee East MP’s move to bag support from Business For Scotland’s Tony Banks and Labour For Independence’s Allan Grogan was a good move to highlight a broad base of pro-independence backing.
The nature of all three campaigns means whoever wins will have a lot of people to answer to.
* IT WAS not the smooth start to proceedings politicians had hoped for. The Smith Commission met for the first time earlier this week as all 10 of the political parties gathered to begin negotiations.
Alas, former Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie had a sticky start as she failed to work out how to get the venue’s revolving door moving.
Luckily for Baroness Goldie of Bishopton, photographers were too busy laughing to grab many snaps. Unluckily, the TV cameras kept rolling.
* RECESS IS the opportunity for politicians to spend some quality time with their families. Alas, for SNP MSP Mark McDonald it was the chance for his kids to show they can be just as wily as any opponent in the debating chamber.
Take this exchange: “You have to get dressed.” “No daddy, I am a superhero.”
“OK, but a superhero needs to wear clothes.”
“No, they wear costumes.” Mark himself was forced to concede: “Checkmate.”
* THERE ARE some hidden talents in Dundee’s townhouse. Intrepid reporting by the busy boss of The Courier’s business desk has uncovered Councillor Will Dawson’s photography skills.
However, the city development convener is not just snapping photos of the moon when he’s not representing the city’s East End.
Apparently he “can squeeze a tune out of an accordion, fiddle and keyboard”. Now, who else has the skills below the surface to form a Dundee City Councillor band?
* POLITICAL JOURNALISTS are supposed to be the smart, sophisticated types who take to new tasks like ducks to water, right? Wrong.
One, who I couldn’t possibly name but may cringe writing, er, reading, this was handed a pair of earphones by a helpful news editor.
On returning the contraptions, a remark may have been passed about funny shaped lobes being needed to make them fit.
If only the embarrassed correspondent had checked the clear labels showing which ear each bud was specifically designed for