Why Swinney is f lying the f lag for home rule
HE i s one of t he master modernisers who have steered the SNP to their current domination of Scottish politics.
But it seems even Deputy First Minister John Swinney, with his dry wit and accountant looks, is a sucker for some flag-waving romanticism.
The veteran MSP has applied to Perth and Kinross Council for permission to erect a 20ft flagpole in the grounds of his Blairgowrie home.
Since the referendum triggered an upsurge in Nationalism, it is no longer uncommon to see Saltires and the Lion Rampant flutter on streets up and down the country.
And it seems even genteel Blairgowrie, with its stunning Perthshire backdrop and bustling tourist trade, is no longer immune to such brazen politicking.
In fact, neighbours insisted that Mr Swinney, 51, a former member of the SNP youth wing, National Secretary at 22 and appointed Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy last November, was playing catch-up when it came to local patriotism.
Neighbour Erle Bullions, 55, said: ‘I have a 6 metre [20ft] flagpole in my garden and change the flag on it every so often. They are quite common around this area.
‘If Mr Swinney puts one up in his garden he’ll be joining the elite.’
The SNP declined to comment on Mr Swinney’s plans or which flag he was likely to hoist once planning i s approved – although it is not hard to guess.
Mrs Bullions said: ‘I think he’ll put up a Saltire. That’s the most common flag to be seen around here.
‘I don’t think it would annoy anyone in the area – it helps give the community a sense of spirit.’
Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: ‘ Flagpoles are quite common around this area. If one got put up in my neighbour’s garden I certainly wouldn’t complain.’
Mr Swinney’s application contained the briefest of summaries: ‘Erection of a 6m flagpole within the grounds of my property.’
The father- of-three – who is married to journalist Elizabeth Quigley and is regularly seen pounding his Blairgowrie constituency on a bike – included a drawing of the pole, which would be glass fibre with a white finish.
He is likely to find out in the next fortnight if the application is successful.
No mention has been made of the cost of the flagpole.
But clearly, on this occasion, austerity measures do not feature in the SNP chief’s thinking.
The average cost of a 20ft flagpole will set him back nearly £390 before VAT, which raises the cost to £468.
And he would have to pay more than £300 to have it installed.