Alex Salmond launched the SNP’s election 2010 Manifesto in Glasgow this week with a comparatively quiet speech. Sharing the platform with colleagues John Mason and Nicola Sturgeon his introduction noted how the possibility of a hung Parliament had become a near probability.
This note then became a substantial theme for his speech. “Hung parliament” became “Balanced Parliament.” And a balanced Parliament meant opportunities for Scottish and Welsh Nationalists.
He built on this theme when he reminded his audience of the dangers of large Parliamentary majorities. Citing the examples of earlier Thatcher and Blair Parliamentary majorities he referred to their respective social wastelands and the Iraq war.
Working harder, he noted that a “Balanced Parliament” would be a “People’s Parliament.”
His speech was not bursting with the rhetorical devices of previous public events. But he neatly referenced his Spring Conference speech with asides about “Tweedledee,” “Tweedledum” and the “Tweedledems.” A topical touch.
His theme from that Spring Conference Speech, Rage Against the Machine, was also brought into play in this manifesto speech. The Westminster machine; a London-based system of politics that does the Scots no favours.
His biggest cheer came with his words on ceasing the Trident missile programme.
This was far from a barnstorming performance. Subdued, measured and short. Not dissimilar to the manifesto that he brandished.
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