Alex Salmond says he “wasn’t at all surprised” that Nicola Sturgeon was judged a very narrow winner in Thursday night’s closely fought historic election debate.
An average of three snap polls conducted in the immediate aftermath of the debate between the seven leaders of the UK’s biggest parties put the SNP leader just ahead of the Prime Minister David Cameron and Labour’s Ed Miliband.
Speaking as he was mobbed by supporters in Kirkcaldy during a visit to support candidate Roger Mullin, former First Minister Mr Salmond said: “Well I can tell you I wasn’t at all surprised. Why? Because I know the Westminster old boys network and I also know Nicola Sturgeon.”
Mr Salmond was in Kirkcaldy to officially launch the campaign for Kirkcaldy SNP election candidate Mr Mullin and to sign copies of his new book.
He said Kirkcaldy had been “setting the pace” in recent years with SNP wins.
He said: “Roger Mullin and I are two of the more experienced candidates in the general election, but we have declared jointly neither here in Kirkcaldy or up in Gordon are we going to hold the youth and inexperience of our opponents against them!
“Instead we are going to be elected and we are going to guide that talented marvellous SNP group of amazing women – and one or two men as well – to make sure that we can do the things that Nicola so brilliantly spelt out last night, to move away from austerity.
“To make sure that the promises, the commitment, the vow of Scotland is redeemed in full. To make gains for Scotland and to aid progressive politics across these islands.
“So whether it be St Andrews, Kirkcaldy or across the great kingdom of Fife, it’s the SNP who are on the march and the SNP on the map!”