I think that’s a very fair assessment of the man. “He knew which buttons to press”. I think that sentence for me summed up his whole modus operandi in gaining support for independence. He knew the arguments to make, however over simplistic or inaccurate, that would resonate with the great many left so helpless and left behind by the Thatcher years and several more years of Tory government immediately leading up to the referendum. “He knew which buttons to press” would be a good epitaph for him, I think.
Another excellent bit of writing Kenny on a legacy that has brilliance and trouble in, it seems, equal measure. Does any talented politician ever achieve their potential?
Thanks Kenny, not easy to get to grips with the man. I nevertheless his later life is well summarised by his death at a place many - even continental Europeans- would have a hard time to locate on a map. Speaking to students of a university not many had ever heard of. I would call it ‚Devine‘ irony
Don’t you think the vacuum around what to do with his corpse, perfectly illustrates the state of the SNP & Scotland today? Meaning well, but impotent to act?
My fantasy is that someone like Donald Dewar would have acted and brought his body “home again” with respect and pride.
I can understand that sentiment, Ken, and it might well have been easier for a Labour FM to do the decent thing than it was for Swinney, given the viciousness of the SNP civil war. A telling moment.
Forensically fair.
Thanks, WW.
I think that’s a very fair assessment of the man. “He knew which buttons to press”. I think that sentence for me summed up his whole modus operandi in gaining support for independence. He knew the arguments to make, however over simplistic or inaccurate, that would resonate with the great many left so helpless and left behind by the Thatcher years and several more years of Tory government immediately leading up to the referendum. “He knew which buttons to press” would be a good epitaph for him, I think.
Absolutely no question about his skills as a strategist, as a tactician, as a communicator. None better.
"A retrospective approach was, he said, inherently unfair, and had been conjured up only to nail him."
Reads like a confession.
I wasn’t there but if I was there I didn’t do it.
Another excellent bit of writing Kenny on a legacy that has brilliance and trouble in, it seems, equal measure. Does any talented politician ever achieve their potential?
They are just people, Stuart, but some are better people than others.
Thanks Kenny, not easy to get to grips with the man. I nevertheless his later life is well summarised by his death at a place many - even continental Europeans- would have a hard time to locate on a map. Speaking to students of a university not many had ever heard of. I would call it ‚Devine‘ irony
Yes, an intriguing gathering of people.
Thanks, as ever, Kenny.
Don’t you think the vacuum around what to do with his corpse, perfectly illustrates the state of the SNP & Scotland today? Meaning well, but impotent to act?
My fantasy is that someone like Donald Dewar would have acted and brought his body “home again” with respect and pride.
I can understand that sentiment, Ken, and it might well have been easier for a Labour FM to do the decent thing than it was for Swinney, given the viciousness of the SNP civil war. A telling moment.