It’s not very often I find myself comparing Tommy Sheridan and Nigel Farage but this referendum is odd.
In what way are these two alike then? Well, despite being at polar opposite ends of the political spectrum, they have both been treated in a very similar manner by their campaigns. That is, they have been ostracised.
Despite packing out audiences in halls across the country the need to address overflow crowds after his address to the Marryat Hall in Dundee this week being just one such example Sheridan has been disowned by Yes Scotland on account of his colourful past and perjury conviction, which is now being appealed.
Yet he still seems to be reaching people, particularly at the extreme left of politics.
Speaking of extremes, does Nigel Farage offer anything like the same influence? In short, probably not but Ukip did attract 10.5% of the Scottish vote at the last European elections.
Think about that for a second, more than one in 10 people who bothered crossing their Brussels ballot went for Ukip. They do have some influence. Better Together reckon that’s all bad and, as such, has shunned them.
When you compare Farage getting huckled into the back of a police riot van for his own safety versus Sheridan’s sold-out speeches it seems clear who is more popular, although it could be argued it is some of the same people involved in both scenes.
One thing is for certain, both are being kept at mighty long arms’ lengths from the campaigns they are trying hard to support.
Sheridan and Farage think they are helping. Yes and No both reckon it’s their opponents who benefit.
* IS ALEX Salmond managing to stick to his strict diet as the independence campaign hits the stressful final few weeks?
Just about. The First Minister has taken to drinking peppermint tea and having a healthy porridge and raspberries for breakfast.
He is keen to show he’s “not a goody two shoes”, though. During his recent trip to Dundee he indulged in a “wee bit” of curry when he visited a mosque in the city.
* YES SCOTLAND is on the charm offensive to try to win over Labour voters ahead of the referendum and one of the campaign’s biggest funders took a novel approach this week.
After trying to woo Jim Murphy by telling him what a big player he could be at Holyrood during a BBC debate, Perth’s Brian Souter handed the Labour MP a present once the cameras stopped rolling.
Was it a bit cheeky for the Stagecoach boss, who talked openly about his Conservative friends during the programme, to hand over a chocolate egg given Murphy’s recent pelting in Kirkcaldy?
* DUNDEE MAY be becoming Scotland’s “Yes city” in many people’s eyes but there is one local happy to very publicly back the UK.
Step forward Unison police staff representative, George McIrvine, whose face is plastered all over Better Together’s new giant advertising board.
Given the ribbing he took at the last Labour Party conference in Perth when he appeared in a No Thanks video, I’m sure he’ll be able to avoid any slagging this time round
* ALWAYS ONE to counter myself, here’s a tale of one person who is definitely voting Yes.
During the First Minister’s Dundee visit, one of his staff hopped in a taxi and got chatting to his driver about the referendum.
Once the cabbie found out who the aide worked for, he wouldn’t let him pay the fare despite repeated insistence. I shouldn’t have to tell you the sticker which also adorned the car.
* A LIST of “influential Scottish Tweeters” was released this week as online naval-gazing saluted and self-congratulated itself.
So here’s a big well done to Dundee-born MP George Galloway, who came in at number 21, Fife Women for Independence activist Natalie McGarry (29) and Perth and North Perthshire MP Peter Wishart (34).
Some are more entertaining than others but it’s nice we’re not leaving the online chatter to the west coast, I guess.
* I DON’T like to slag another publication but this whoopsie was too good to miss.
Step forward The Guardian, who posted this on their website: “David Miliband has just arrived in Blantyre where he’s going to making a stump speech to try to shore up the Labour vote.”
Now International Rescue intervening in the referendum would be a story. I suspect neither Miliband is overjoyed at people still getting them muddled up, though.
* I MENTIONED Tommy Sheridan earlier, so here’s a cracker from his Dundee speech.
“Yes will remove Westminster’s handcuffs from Scotland and I know a thing or two about handcuffs!” I’m saying nothing.