All must have prizes
Just back from the Big Debate.
No, not that one. My very own Big Debate on the wireless, this week a constituency hustings from Kelso.
It was lively with an excellent audience who applauded and jeered with defiant abandon.
And that was only in response to the introduction. So what did you make of the? Most commentators and snap polls called it for Nick Clegg.
For myself, I thought it was a decent watch despite the party-imposed constraints such as the ban on applause.
Devolved territories
We know Alex Salmond's perspective upon the debate.
He billed it as "three machine politicians with nothing to say to three countries", referring to the devolved territories.
Now Labour reckons this was a "gaffe" by A. Salmond because his comments "suggest that he watched" the debate. (He had previously dismissed it as irrelevant.)
For pity's sake, of course he watched the debate.
Yes, his public comments have veered from demanding participation to playing down the relevance of the process.
As previously noted here, the Salmond strategy - born of necessity - is to suggest that the SNP campaign is somehow a different creature, distinct from customary, flawed politics.
But this was a substantive element of an election campaign in which the party he leads was participating. So he tuned in. There may well be gaffes galore in this election. That was not one of them.
Serious times
As to the participating parties, the LibDems are understandably chuffed at the apparent response to their man.
David Cameron acknowledged that Mr Clegg had a good showing but insisted that "a plague on both your houses" was a relatively easy message to sell.
The Tories said their man showed he was ready to govern, with ideas aplenty.
Team Brown reckoned the night indicated that their contender had the serious agenda for serious times.
All have won and all must have prizes.
PS: My ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Scotland debate is in Stornoway next Friday for another constituency hustings. If you want to take part, email brian@bbc.co.uk
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