Welcome to our weekly weekend recap. Our team here at ScotlandVotes share their best stories from the weekend. It’s not just all Scottish politics. But please dip in and have a read…
It’s rare to see the Daily Record be so forceful in its editorial, but its effort today packs a punch as it warns the debates are of critical importance to Labour. CM
Arguing from a partisan position, Damian McBride says the 2015 General Election is one of a role reversals: a credible challenger vs. a fantasist incumbent. His The Sunday Times column is fast becoming essential reading each week. DM
David Cameron is interviewed by his cousin, Harry Mount in The Sunday Times, giving colour to the Prime Minister. CM
Much hilarity in The Guardian’s General Election blind dates, but a serious point too: no wonder the House of Commons resembles two tribes going to war when they spend so little time getting to know each other and understand where each side is coming from. Some great bon mots including this gem from Jacob Rees-Mogg: “Everyone is in favour of localism until something goes horribly wrong. At which point the argument is: why isn’t the government doing something?” DM
Gillian Bowditch has crafted a wonderful profile of the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon in The Sunday Times. CM
“The central task of anyone in politics — MP, adviser, commentator — is to see inside the mind of the average voter. But the average voter is indifferent to politics. So anyone who is absorbed in the democratic process is badly placed to understand the demos itself. An obsessive violinist can be a great one. An obsessive politico will make analytic errors.” So much to agree with in Janan Ganesh’s latest column in the Financial Times about ‘average voters’. DM
Dani Garavelli offers an insight into the changing nature of Scottish politics in the Scotland on Sunday as voters look ahead to May’s election. CM