Hacks play the pantomime heroes and villains at lively manifesto launch in Perth
It’s no secret that the SNP has an extraordinary number of paidup members. But until you’ve seen them stretch for almost a quarter of a mile down Mill Street in Perth city centre, it’s hard to visualise such a mass of independence supporters.
The faithful were in town to see Nicola Sturgeon launch the party’s 2017 election manifesto. Once the yellow-wearing masses neared the concert hall they were greeted by around 40 blue-coated Conservative activists. Relations remained cordial between the two tribes – despite one press snapper ushering an Eu-flag waving man to pose in front of Ruth Davidson’s crack team.
Pete Wishart kicked off proceedings with a promise that Perth was “a line in the sand that the Tories will not cross”. The candidate for the local constituency quipped the Conservatives had viewed the area as a target ever since he was first elected. Only a cynic would suggest that Mr Wishart may be slightly concerned about a Tory revival across Perthshire and Northeast Scotland, with those in attendance urged to go out campaigning on his behalf once the launch was over.
The First Minister walked up purposefully to the podium to the cheers of supporters. Much has been written about waning Nationalist enthusiasm in certain seats during this campaign, but there was none on display here. “This manifesto reflects our belief in the infinite possibility open to the people of Scotland if we work together to build the kind of country we know we can be,” she said. Thunderous applause.
But the feel-good vibe in the room was quickly swapped for a hushed sense of expectation when the First Minister asked for questions from the assembled media.
Colin Mackay of STV asked that if the SNP was looking to win the election in Scotland to reinforce its case for a second referendum, would losing seats weaken its case? There were audible groans and more than a few boos. Although dressed in a sober dark blue suit rather than a black cape, and lacking a thunder sound effect when he spoke, Mackay was suddenly the pantomime villain.
The First Minister came to the rescue. “Journalists are here to do a job. It’s their job to hold us to account.” More applause. The political editor of the Courier stood up. “I hear it’s your birthday” Sturgeon – always on top of her brief – observed. A few people started to sing Happy Birthday. “I think we might have gone from one extreme to the other with the media,” the FM quipped. Even the most dour-faced journalists raised a smile at this.
Winning the second biggest ovation of the day was a Kathleen Nutt, a reporter from The National. The very mention of the independencesupporting newspaper’s name prompted a huge roar of appreciation.
With the job done, the SNP top team went off to campaign in Perth. Followed closely by a team in blue anoraks…