Alex Salmond’s Inevitability Strategy

Apparently it is all but compulsory for London-based observers to note that Alex Salmond is “wily”. Those possessing an Anglo-Scots dictionary may add that he’s “sleekit”. By this they really mean he’s not a numpty and this, given the pressures of the times and all of that, is as much of a compliment as any minister can hope to receive. Alex Salmond is an intelligent politician who is often on manoevres. Shockerooni!

Be that as it may, it is evident that the First Minister appreciates the importance of image-projection and, accordingly, is doing his utmost to present Scottish independence as a destination that’s as logical as it is inevitable. It is about building momentum which in time becomes self-sustaining.

Salmond’s demeanour in parliament and at Edinburgh Castle today would, in a better world, persuade English-based journalists to drop their Braveheart fixation. This is not a give me liberty or give me death type of struggle, far from it.