Salmond’s Declaration of Morningside was never intended as a big statement

I was delighted to see so much coverage (“Alex Salmond pledges to return to frontline politics when Sturgeon calls Indeyref2”, 19 May) for the recent event staged by the SNP in Morningside, as I had a special interest in it... I organised it.

So perhaps I can add some clarity to press speculation around the event.

I contacted Mr Salmond about a year ago asking him to speak in Edinburgh Southern, and after finding a date for the speaking event, I suggested the title Alex Salmond Speaks: On the State of the Nation as one which would be attractive to local members.

First clarification: This speech was never designed by our former First Minister or the local SNP to be “an intervention” in the ongoing debate over when a second independence referendum will be called. The event only became an “event” because sections of the press concluded, erroneously, that it was. Second clarification: The event was not publicised by me to anyone other than party members and known supporters of Scottish independence. I have no idea how details of the event came to be in the public domain.

However, as I saw the ticket sales increase – exponentially – I had to agree with the old maxim that (almost) any publicity is good publicity. Even the press who attended paid for their tickets. For the record, I can confirm that even the Daily Mail made a small contribution towards our branch funds.

Faced with a private event which had now become public due to circumstances beyond our control, it was agreed between the local branch and Mr Salmond’s office that the content and tone of the speech would have to reflect this.

Third clarification: Regarding The Declaration of Morningside, which the press picked up on so gleefully... the phrase was used on the night by Mr Salmond in an entirely humorous manner, to reflect the way that such a small local meeting had been inflated out of all proportion by the media.

No declaration had been planned, but seeing as they had turned up, Alex felt dutybound to give them a story. And given the press coverage – what a story!

My final observation is that interest in this event reveals several truths. Firstly, that people really are interested in The State of the Nation – and by nation I mean Scotland, of course. Secondly, the media regard the possibility – no, probability – of independence as a live issue. Thirdly, they still see Mr Salmond as a big beast in the debate. Finally, that when the call comes, Mr Salmond will be ready to play his part in helping Scotland to become, in the near future, an independent nation-state. DAVID PATRICK Branch Organiser SNP Morningside Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh