May’s blue sky thought police

THERESA May took the stage at the Scottish Tory manifesto launch to the strains of Jeff Lynne singing Mr Blue Sky. Has ever a Tory Prime Minister arrived in Scotland in such carefree mood? But her London minders were less carefree when journalists were allowed into the main hall at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre instead of the designated holding pen. Horrified at the thought of hacks asking questions, one Downing Street official exclaimed: ‘They can’t be allowed to mingle like that!’

WHILE Mrs May and Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson launched their manifesto, it seemed Miss Davidson’s deputy Jackson Carlaw had been snubbed and left to hold the fort at Holyrood. Asked to explain his absence, he replied with a knowing wink: ‘Designated survivor.’