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Posted on July 07, 2023 by

Just for a change, let’s have a Friday-night competition!

Sharp-eyed readers will have noticed that former First Minister Alex Salmond is staging a show in the Spiegeltent at the Edinburgh Fringe next month, from 4-13 August.

You may even have seen a bit of online criticism from certain po-faced pseudonats about the fact that Salmond is sharing a platform with – gasp! – a Yoon, in the shape of the “last of the traditional Tories”, David Davis MP.

Almost like a debate or something.

For anyone joining us late, that’s the unfashionable concept whereby one side argues for something and the other side against it, like Salmond being pro-independence and Davis against; Salmond for an elected head of state, Davis for a monarch; Salmond will argue Brexit is a disaster and Davis will blame Boris Johnson.

In the chair keeping (ahem) “ORDER!” is former Speaker (well, he can still speak) John Bercow – short on height but big in let’s say character, and someone who did a more effective job of standing up to the Westminster government than any SNP MP we can think of since 2015.

However much it might upset the weak-willed Walter The Softies of our cancel-culture age (mainly because they’re so insecure that they can’t fight their corner or hold their own in argument), debate is the spice of life. So there’ll be no no-platforming here, and the combatants will live or die on their wits, which should be worth seeing.

Anyway, Wings has discovered exclusively, it says on this piece of paper we’ve just been handed, that there’ll be not one but TWO First Ministers appearing across the show’s run. But who’s the other?

Will it be traditional-dress enthusiast Lord Jack McConnell, currently out of sight and out of mind in the House of Sleepy Peers but rumoured to be eyeing a comeback in the event of an incoming Labour government?

Could it be (and it’s admittedly a long shot) Nicola Sturgeon – under something of a cloud at the moment but always anxious for a platform to declare herself innocent of everything she hasn’t been charged with, as yet?

Is it Henry McLeish, the mild-mannered janitor only First Minister ever to don the Scottish (and East Fife) jersey at representative level and – we’re pretty sure – the only Scottish Government minister ever to be featured in a Spot The Ball competition?

Or is it Humza Yousaf, who positively scoots towards every interview car-crash and may well therefore fancy his chances of besting Salmond or Davis in debate? (Having studied his new indy strategy we’re not entirely sure which side he’d be arguing.)

Cast your vote for your favoured choice from these four in the comments below over the weekend, and we’ll draw a lucky winner from the correct answers who’ll score two tickets to the glamorous opening night of the show, which (like the final night) will focus on the subject of Scottish independence.

The rest of you can book your seats through the usual channels, just to remember what it’s actually like when people try to make their case with logic and reason rather than screaming “BIGOT!” at each other and calling the police.

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Cath

I’ll plump for Henry McLeish.

Suso Maclean

I’m plumping for Jack McConnell. An Alba, a Tory and a Labour guy walk into s bar….

Ian McCubbin

It’s such a difficult choice as each one is a total car crash. Even Dave Davis could outwit any of them:-)

Ian McCubbin

Oh could nt decide anyone of them would be a car crash -:)

Turnbulldrier

Gotta be Henry McLeish…

Cannae see any SNP bod doing it (I mean ‘evil incarnate’ is running the show) can you imagine the gnashing of teeth in the ‘inner circle’.

As for McConnell, he’d just lord it over everyone, then refund the ticket money cos he’d be unable to think of somthing to spend it on.

Cameron Lochiel

Henry McLeish

Jeannie McCrimmon

Henry McLeish.

David Holden

I would go with Henry as Nicola may be in the clink, Humza could be out of a job in a month and Jack is such a dick that it would hit ticket sales. I will not be collecting my prize so donate it to a worthy cause.

Johnny

Henry McLeish.

I. Despair

My guddle-not-a-fiddle-ometer suggests Oor ‘Enery.

Neil Elphinstone

Henry McLeish

radge1

Must be Henry McLeish

Peter C

I don’t know who it will be but for sure it won’t be Yousaf. Yousaf facing up Alex Salmond? Wow, Yousaf sure as hell doesn’t have the guts or mettle for that!

Mike Brand

It has to be Henry McLeish in order to get any sense.

radge1

It must be Henry McLeish 🙂

Rab Dickson

McLeish

Morag

Just to be different I’ll plump for Jack.

Alan Rogers

I’ll say McConnell, solely because I’d love to see him try and out debate Alex

Giesabrek

Yeah, I’d go with Henry McLeish too.

As an aside he seemed to be teetering on the brink of supporting independence during the referendum but didn’t commit in the end, if I recall correctly?

Graeme

The only possibilities are McConnel & Mcleish. The last I saw of Jack he was working hard on his Lahndan accent. I am therefore plumping for Henry. Its only short hop from Fife and surely he can keep his finances straight for one day.

Henry is less tribal as well so might be worth listening to.

FionaN

Henry McLeish. He seems the most popular choice and has been a fence sitter in the past. I cant see Useless having the guts to debate AS, (or is he really that stupid?) and McConnel prefers to lord it over us all, safe from having to defend his views and actions. Would Sturgeon have the sheer brass neck to face the Mentor and Statesman whom she backstabbed so viciously? She cant look him in the eye. I somehow cant see her even trying as she would know fine well that he would make mincemeat out of her. Even though she hates to miss out on being in the limelight, she cant stand to be shown in the bad light she deserves and anyway, its all someone else’s fault, and she cant remember what the question is.

Checks Notes

I’ll go Henry, just don’t mention office lets!

Beauvais

Hasn’t Nicola Sturgeon featured in a Spot The Bail competition?

George

I’d go for McConnell – certainly a prat, but he did do some half decent stuff in the early days.

Contrary

I’ve gotta say Henry McLeish too.

Did I hear Geoff Aberdein being interviewed on GMS this morning? It was a boring subject, something about how Humza is doing, I didn’t listen. I thought he had a job that didn’t allow him to make comment on politics, did anyone else hear it?

The Water Beastie

yeah, Henry the mild-mannered janitor…certainly would be the most instructive of all those options.

highlander

Sturgeon

Andouilette

You are all wrong. It’s the ghost of Donald Dewar.

Craig

I’m going all out and say

Jack McConnell

Johnlm

I’d vote for the one without a mistress. – McLeish.

But, as I don’t want a ticket, I will guess Kr#nkie.

Heather McLean

My guess is Henry McLeish

Stuart MacKay

Shona Robison – there’s 28 days to go, anything can happen!

Note to self: I should really stop drinking on Friday’s (more or less) after work.

Alison

Has to be McLeish, the others have too much of a conceit of themselves.

velofello

Oh it must be “FM” Yousef – to add “status and gravitas” to the debate.

No benefit in having Sturgeon – she won’t remember the question in discussion.

McConnel? Naw – he lost a dispute with a neighbour a coal bunker. Nae clout.

McLeish? Stitched up over a office rent, and seems a level-headed guy.

“FM” Yousef – chance to be in the spotlight – ye coudna haud him back!

Sven

I’d guess Jack “The Lad” McConnell, who’s been lurking in the long grass for a fair wee whiley now, quietly seeking a way back to the greener pastures of guest appearances, MSM columns and expenses paid trips to pontificate as a “wise auld elder statesman”, or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

Ali+T

Henry McLeish

Wobbly

Henry McLeish. If I win you can raffle the tickets for a charity of your choice as my rescue dog can’t let me out his sight for more than a few hours and I live in the highlands. Good luck all.

Cameron Lochiel

@Andouilette That was so very nearly my guess ?

A Scot Abroad

Scots Indy hasn’t much chance of happening at all in the next several decades if this is what it boils down to…

And a good thing too.

rogueslr

Got to be Saint Nic. Wherever there’s a microphone and an audience she’ll be there.

charlie

McLeish, sympathetic to independence since Brexit and the ticket link doesn’t work (8pm GMT).

Lorna Campbell

Henry McLeish. Sense of humour guaranteed as well.

Beauvais

Jim Wallace was caretaker FM for two or three weeks, but I don’t know if that qualifies him as a possibility. Not that he would be exactly a box office draw.

Antoine Roquentin

That’ll be: Henry McLeish.

Cath

I’d have to go with McLeish as well. If it’s Sturgeon, that would be massive – and a massive shock. The only reason she’d come on would be if either they’ve come to some kind of accord, or if they’d been working together all along to out the poison in the SNP. There’s no chance at all she’d come on if things are remotely as they seem. But in politics things aren’t always as they seem…

Dan

I’m going for Donald Dewar, as reckon he would still be able to debate better than the current “FM”.

Badmod

Lord Jack McConnell. He can’t help himself.

Steve Parkinson

Henry McLeish – can’t be anyone else

John Grierson

Is this Spot the Bawsack?

Republicofscotland

I’ll plump for Humza Yousless he’s already hawked his wares around Edinburgh sucking up to the foreign monarch.

BTW that guy behind Jack McConnell, the look on his face says it all, brilliant.

Geri

McLeish. Got to be.

The rest wouldn’t dare show their face to a public audience just yet.

Skip_NC

Beauvais, Jim Wallace managed a total of thirty-five days as acting FM, which was only two weeks less than Liz Truss managed in Downing Street.

There is a compelling argument for Henry McLeish, but I think Humza Yousaf may actually be arrogant and dim-witted enough to think he can take Alex on, so that’s my vote. When I win, please auction off the tickets with proceeds going to Alba International.

alba

Going with Mcleish; he could pull it off for he had style.
McConnel? Was too much of a dicksplash, even back in his heyday he still didn’t know how to wear a kilt.
Sturgeon? She would get scalped (and knows this).
Yousaf….na. Barely able to hold a thought, never mind debate a point.

Colin Landsburgh

Henry McLeish

Craig P

It’ll be McLeish. He once wrote a book with Kenny MacAskill, and doesn’t have McConnell or Sturgeon’s hatred of real nationalists.

Astonished

I’m going out on a limb here – But I think it will be the late Donald Dewar.

Bear with me a wee bit :- Nicola (completely innocent, doesn’t even know the alphabetties) Sturgeon’s sister will contact him through her “Two spirits” trans guide. I assume that’ll be vodka and tequila, or whatever else is on sale.

As it will be very pro-trans, ITV and the BBC will fight for the TV rights.

And this will be yet another horror show we can make Stu watch, so we don’t have to.

Iain Donald

I reckon it will be Henry McLeish.

Fairliered

Henry McLeish. A basically good guy, unlike the rest of the grifters. The current SNP don’t have a ball to spot between the lot of them.

Geri

LMAO at two spirits trans guide!! 😀

Marie Clark

I reckon it has to be Henry McLeish, cannae be Humza he hasn’t the brain power to take on Alex in debate.

McConnell don’t think he would sell many tickets. As for Wee Nic she hasn’t the guts to face Alex, disnae mind stabbing him in the back, but face him in debate, naw a dinnae think sae.

Robert Louis

Well, Sturgeon and/or Humza would be hilarious for wildly differing reasons, yet both having the common ground of being inept. Mind, Sturgeon does have the ability to hide her ineptitude well, whereas Humza tends to make it wayyyy too obvious.

Given that neither is likely to share a stage with the esteemed Mr. Salmond,, my money is on Henry McLeish. Whilst in politics, I often thought he was an ‘unconvinced’ unionist – almost a unionist by accident rather than design.

‘The accidental unionist’. You can thank me later, Mr Mcleish, for providing you with an utterly winning title for your autobiography.

Anyway, McLeish should do it anyway, by virtue of having been in Spot the ball. Reason enough by anybody’s standards.

aLurker

Contrary at at 7:31 pm
said:

> Did I hear Geoff Aberdein being interviewed on GMS this morning? > It was a boring subject, something about how Humza is doing,
> I didn’t listen.

>I thought he had a job that didn’t allow him to make comment on >politics, did anyone else hear it?

Actually Contrary, Geoff Aberdein has made a very active return to commenting on politics. He has been doing it literally every week on the “Holyrood Sources” podcast.

link to podcasters.spotify.com

Heather Moore

It has to be Henry McLeish, surely.

I can’t see it being Jack O’Connell and not a chance of the other two, absolute chancers both. Given how sensible McLeish is overall, he’s most likely in my mind.

Merganser

I think you’re stretching the meaning of ‘first minister’ to include ‘prime minister’ so my money’s on Tony Blair.

I’m happy to donate the tickets to the person with the biggest hands.

Triangular Ears

Henry McLeish

William Russell

McLeish is the only one with the wit to hold his own against the other combatants.

Mr Ben

McLeish

Doreen A Milne

I’ve got a ticket and I think, and hope, it will be Henry McLeish. I couldn’t go Sturgeon or Yousuf and smarmy McConnell grates.

PinkFlamingosForever

The mild-mannered Henry for me.

David Hannah

I like David Davis. He told the truth about the Salmond conspiracy in Westminster.

He fought for Britain in the Falklands war.you can tell with his sniper eyes he’s served his country.

He’s a patriot. He wanted to leave the European Union. Good for him.

David Hannah

I hope the truth around the Salmond conspiracy is revealed.

If I were David Davis. I’d share all. And bring the entire house down.

I want to hear the WhatsApp messages of Peter Murrell etc. Colluding to send an innocent man to jail.

It sickens me.

David Hannah

I will say this. I voted to remain in the EU. But I am now glad. We’ve been dragged out the corrupt EU against our will.

I want us to join EFTA now. The EU is going to go into recession kissing Zelensky’s arse.

Morgatron

Fuck it , long shot here but I’m going for Hong Kong Fuey #1 super guy. ¹Hong Kong Fuey quicker than the human eye. He got style , groovy style. It certainly wasn’t Rosemary. Apparently she was transitioning and was really Henry.!!

Morgatron

AKA Jack :the shagger. He’s a naughty one.

Colin Findlay

Donald Dewar. Get his sorry stone ass over to Edinburgh to listen for a change and replace him with a statue of Winnie Ewing.

ScottieDog

I’ll go for Rosemary the telephone operator..

Scot Finlayson

Canny be She/Her , mair chance Donald Dewar.

deffo McLeish , he is a fence sitter on Indy, so would be good to hear his views pro and against.

McConnel is just a British Labour uncle jock of the very worse kind,

sold out his country for a sniff of ermine.

msdidi

I’m going with Henry McLeish and I’d love to win tickets to the show!

SomervilleScot

Henry McLeish though I would have really liked to see Hong Kong Phooey.

Shug

It’s got to be jack the zipper

Calum

McLeish.

John Main

So are we all pretending that pretendy FM Yousaf is actually a real FM after all?

Or are we all accepting that all previous incumbents of the FM position were actually pretenders too?

Way I see it, HY got where he is as the result of a flawed and fraudulent process. None of the rest of them did. For HY to be treated as if his legitimacy is the equal of the others is a travesty.

Only in Scotland would the cowed and cringing population accept this outrage with never a squeak of protest.

NOT MY FIRST MINISTER

PhilM

A few playful wags suggesting one of Glasgow’s finest though long-deceased sons…but in all seriousness and somewhat in deference to those who make an honest living battling through the ectoplasm just so Scots’ fearties can sleep easy in their beds, well, I too am pointing an uncanny ghostly finger in the direction of Donald Dewar. Light up a woodbine, sit back and relax, and I will now explain why so.
Forget mediums, both those that are obviously authentic and those that have lost touch with reality, I spent a garrulous evening recently, speaking to the son of that wee guy who used to strum a ukulele and ‘sing’ his own version of Rangers’ songs outside Ibrox (I used to get abducted regularly…please don’t criticise), well that wee guy knew a thing or two (and that would explain the 5000-acre shooting estate near Loch Lomond). Apparently, this stalwart’s son, of ‘middling height’ – his dad married a minor late-80s supermodel – his son told me and I repeat it now, to the best of my memory, there’s this device, which is known only to those of the initiated (not the Illuminanti, the other real but secretive mass-membership group that runs everything).
This device, to use the son’s own words, uses a ‘special lever’, said to be based on an Archimedean design, that sits atop a flat expanse and all present must use their united powers by joining hands whilst summoning the spirits to come forth. The spirits move the lever, said to be made of glass and of ‘monkish design’ and legend has it, unearthly voices issue forth, the ghosts of Maryhill, Partick, the old, old Gorbals and almost certainly in August of 2023, for one time only, the haunted tones of the late Donald Dewar in that dump, Edinburgh.
I have never seen this supernatural contraption but I have heard tell in whispers ’tis renowned to be a ‘Weegie Board’. They Edinburgh gowks cannae work it, only the guid folks o’Glesga, hence the name…it is, in fact, true…

So believe, reader, believe, there ARE more things in heaven and earth and if a family member shows signs that they have the ‘gift’ of ‘second sight’, do not be fearful of being photographed in public with them. That would not speak well of you. They are NOT a dangerous embarrassment. THEY do not have the kind of power that can be wielded to ruin a country and its future.
Now meditate on these considered words of kindly offered advice, examine your conscience as you lie alone at night, in the dark, audio book long fallen silent…cleanse your weary soul, admit what you did and why…why?… a broken country needs the peace that only comes with the revelation of unblinking truth.
Unfortunately, History can be a stern judge but at least it is one that allows the truth to be spoken without fear…

David Hannah

He’s not my false First minster either John.

David Davis would do a better job as first minister than Humza. You’re damn right.

Derek

“…could be…!”

With a hong kong phooey chop, no doubt…

Speaking of whom…

link to youtube.com

David Hannah

I wish. That. The conspiracy to jail Alex Salmond was reveled in full.

I saw that. Lady fucking Dorian. She couldn’t contain herself. She was there.

Did you see her? She was there. With King Charles.

See the monarchy and all their pals. I’ve got nae time for them!

Cuilean

Henry McLeish.

David Hannah

Juryless fucking trials.

Lady fucking who?

Dorian?

Arthur Martin

I’ll have a stab at Henry McLeish, in a non literal fashion.

Wee Chid

I’d say McLeish. I’d hope so anyway as he is the least unlikeable of the lot.

Gordon Keane

I’d be surprised if it wasn’t Henry McLeish.
I’d go for him.
Tho, we could be surprised and discover its McConnell.
But I’m still gonna go for McLiesh.

Chris Downie

I’m tempted to say “The Most Reluctant NO Voter in Scotland ™” Henry McLeish, but he’s probably laid low with deep vein thrombosis from sitting on the fence all these years.

Andrew Davidson

I think it’ll be McLeish. Yousaf wouldn’t do it because his Mammy would tell him off. Mammy, hell no. McConnell probably too busy admiring himself in the mirror in his ermine.

McLeish – maybe I’m wrong – didn’t seem like such a bitterly pointlessly partisan knob like most other politicians so yep, that’s my bet.

Eleanor Bennett

Has to be Henry McLeish – McConnels’s affy close pals with that Kirsty Wark, so I guess it won’t be him, lol.
DD showed up for AS when it counted, people can have different political beliefs from each other and still respect and be friends. I’m sure he was a guest at one of Alex Salmond Unleashed during the festival a few years ago.

Saffron Robe

Maybe it’ll be Nicola Sturgeon via a video call from Cornton Vale proclaiming her innocence!

paul

As it would be above the acceptable level of abasement, our first minister is out.

The shiney faced remitter of funds to the uk would see no value as blair starmer is going to have a minority position so he will have to keep his shiney nose clean.

Henry it is.

Malcolm Chishom would be my choice

Brenda Dempster

It’s got to be Jack McConnell, please let it be so. It should bea scream.

twathater

If you really wanted to make it entertaining I would go for an empty chair or a big boulder as Alex would get a better argument or discussion out of them

McLeish and McConnell another couple of Scotland betrayers, Sturgeon hisnae the balls to face Salmond and (NOT MY FM) Youseless would get Tranada Slater to stand in for him

Willie

I surprised that the Scottish Government are not trying to nobble the event’s venue, withdraw it’s licence.

That’s what they do. Easy as a punishment bank shuttering.

The SNP just don’t do democracy and free sprech

Karl

Mark Drakeford, would give the debate another dimension.

Oneliner

Can’t be Humza, the strings would get tangled.

I hope it’s Lord Jack so they can ask him how much of the Scottish budget he returned to Westminster Control Centre.

Most likely it will be Henry, who has more understanding of the offside law than real estate management.

Rumour has it that Angus Robertson and his wife have bought tickets, and Kirsty Wark is negotiating for the broadcasting rights.

Effijy

It’s not Nicola as her bus has been confiscated.
It’s not Humza he would rather go in the ring with Tyson than Alex Salmond.
It’s not McLeish as he would need a share of the rent money.
It’s not McConnell he lives in Arran with no ferries as he gave back the money for them.

It’s Donald Dewar with the help of the psychic Sally Morgan.
One knock for YES, sorry he doesn’t do that option.

Glenn

Gotta be Henry McLeish?

John Park

Henry McLeish

cyril mitchell

Got to be Henry McLeish

duncanio

It’s got to be Henry Half-Way House McLeish, on the side of Davis of course.

Jim Bo

I’d guess Lord Jack Mc

JockMcT

Could it be Nicla with Humza the glove puppet on her knee. Or maybe it’s jack the jannie with his magic bucket of sawdust. More likely Henry in the midfield

And Spouse

Must be Henry McLeish. Surely one of debates will be about sport?
Just send me the tickets Stu, thanks

Alf Baird

Disnae maitter wha’s on the stage, thons aw poleetical theatre an actors, juist like oor pairlaments onywey. Guid fir the tourists A suppose.

As wis the drum ceremony haundin ower oor Scots soveranety tae anither Englis monarch this week by messrs Hamilton, Dorian and Granger et al, wi oor wratchit plyte aw ‘celebrated’ by a Church o Scotlan ‘moderator’.

Thon Scots croun wis naewhaur near Chairlie’s heid, an nae aith aither, sae haurdly a coronation. Juist anither theatre fir the tourists, an mair ‘union’ blaflum an geggery tae confuise Scots fowk, an aye haud thaim doun.

Beauvais

Karl might have the right idea. Stu just said there would be two First Ministers. He didn’t specifically say two Scottish First Ministers. Wales and Northern Ireland have had a fair few between them.

It can’t be Rev Ian Paisley of course, but a debate between him and Alex Salmond would have been quite something.

Mog

Henry Mcleish.

James Caithness

I vote for MacLeish.

However what if Wendy Alexander sneaked through on the rails. hahahaha

London Scott

Wings readers may not support David Davis’ views on Brexit, the economy, monarchy and independence. He has however been a help to the cause reading out the Salmond e-mails in Parliament. So Salmond I suspect feels he owes him. DD is also a supporter of freedom of speech. Indeed he raised the case if the chap who was prosecuted in Scotland for the tweet about Capt Tom. I am sure he would be happy to raise Stu’s bank cancelling.

Lenny Hartley

Sleeper McConnel , he used to argue for Indy in Mock Election debates at Arran High Skool!
Oh wrong type of Sleeper it will be mr McLeish then.

London Scott

The WM Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing, was Edinburgh University Student Union President back in 1980. Eleanor Pritchard then.

Anton Decadent

Nicola Sturgeon and it will be announced that she is to be the new leader of the Alba party.

Stoker

Sturgeon and Yousaf don’t have the bottle or intellect to share the same platform as Salmond and Davis. McConnell is easily flustered and would also be out of place in a debate with the 2 aforementioned big political beasts. So, that just leaves McLeish for me, he will represent the “3rd option”, more devolution under whatever moniker they choose to give it.

And if memory serves me correctly, McLeish isn’t exactly a dyed-in-the-wool Unionist, he’s not 100% against the idea of indy. He has also written many articles and papers on the indy/devo subject, like the one below. He is also the only one out of the 4 you mention, Stuart, that is capable of holding his own on a debate involving Salmond & Davis. So i’m plumping for Henry McLeish.

link to archive.is

Stoker

@ Beauvais on 8 July 2023 at 9:21 am

Stuart strictly specified the choice can only be from the 4 options he mentions in the article: McLeish, McConnell, Yousaf or Sturgeon. 😉

Northcode

Alf Baird @ 9:16am

“Thon Scots croun wis naewhaur near Chairlie’s heid, an nae aith aither, sae haurdly a coronation.”

Aye, Alf. A penny geggie wis aw thair wis tae thon hale puppie shaw.

Thon Charlie’s nae evyn Keeng o ma cludgie – a’m the Keeng of thait.

An aw thair whigmaleerie blaflum an flumgummery gied mi sair een.

Stoker

There’s no way on earth it’s going to be Yousaf or Sturgeon because of the reasons i gave earlier. If it does turn out to be one of them what’s the betting they will pull out on the day of the debate due to [Place your reason of choice here].

So that just leaves McLeish or McConnell and i’m sticking with McLeish. McConnell’s involvement would seriously lower the level of the whole shebang. Please don’t let it be him. Pretty please?

Flower of Scotland

I think Henry McLeish is the best if this bunch.

Deepgreen

I nominate Donald Dewar. I think there is a plan to exhume Donald Dewar to breathe life, like Banquo’s ghost, into the S.Labour/Starmer plan to resume their ducal dominance in Scotland. I have resurrected Donald because it won’t trouble most of the audience to have a simulacrum of Donald since there is no problem in these post modern times in identifying as the person of one’s choice, regardless of known science and, to futher re-inforce the point, Donald will be breastfeeding a baby and wearing a lovely vintage floaty dress fashioned by the late Bill Gibb, a Broch notable.

More seriously ,as for Ms Sturgeon I think it would require major security to host her. I doubt the ticket sales would run to that expense. Same would apply to Mr Yousaf so these two curr(a)ent buns are eliminated.

That leaves Messrs. McLeish and McConnell. Personally I prefer Mr Mcleish whose presence has been more obvious recently.Mr McConnell is very quiet these days so I imagine he will continue to keep his heid below the parapet and the thought of him turning up in his ‘newkilt’ is just too stomach churning.
So on balance of probabilities, we are left with Henry, although if I was a genuine punter I’d hedge a few quid on Mr. Yousaf, with his reputation for calamitous missteps.

MaggieC

I’ll go with Henry McLeish or the other possibility is Carwyn Jones the Former First Minister of Wales ?

Geri

Stoker,

If it is him I’d hope Alex buries him on the New Act of Union crap they tried to get traction on through the House of Lord’s. (McConnel included)

My first question would be: If the first said we couldn’t leave then why are they trying to write a new one to lock us in?

Ian Morrison

McLeish. Honourable enough to have resigned over sub-letting an office, which is a mark of high integrity compared to the other three…

Amonynouse

I wonder if first minister has a double meaning I’m unaware of. Could it be some reference to a clergyman or maybe some even a reverand?

Ken Coutts

Alex has Davies engerland, so it must be a Welsh FM, and perhaps Sinn Fein, that would shake it up.
Lol????????????????

Goatsdontsave

Jack McConnell

Livonian

Henry McLeish is my pick

Jeannie+the+Vth

Sturgeon and Yousaf would never share a platform with Eck, and McConnell probably thinks he’s too important to sit in a tent with the plebs, so can only be McLeish.

Jeannie the Vth

Sturgeon and Yousaf would never share a platform with Eck, and McConnell probably thinks he’s too grand to sit in a tent with the plebs, so can only be McLeish

Flying_Scotsman

I think it’ll be Henry McLeish. He is the most likable of the condenders too.

Cynicus

McLeish

Cynicus

Arlene Foster?

Livonian

Henry McLeish it’s got to be hasn’t it

revjimbob

McLeish – the only one with any mettle, and who would be worth listening to.

Hamish Turnbull

It’s got to be McLeish, surely? I can’t see any of the others making an appearance to debate those topics against Alex Salmond

Stoker

Geri says on 8 July 2023 at 3:04 pm:

“My first question would be: If the first said we couldn’t leave then why are they trying to write a new one to lock us in?”

Very good point.

Ali Clark

Someone Welsh perchance?

Ian Stewart

Sturgeon, but I can’t go to the debate if I win.

Shauny Boy

I’m gonna go with Jack McConnell.

Angus

Thatcher loon Humza arguing for The Unions safe with me.

What Rot

McLeish.
What larks!

Inde

Mcleish

la demoiselle sauvage

Angus MacNeil?

Stookie1967

Ahm ah too late to enter?? ?

Duncan Gray

Henry McLeish


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    Wings Over Scotland is a (mainly) Scottish political media digest and monitor, which also offers its own commentary. (More)

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    • Robert Hughes on The People You Most Suspected: “This , ie the subject of this WOS post , is how the Unionists will take control of Holyrood .…Nov 13, 06:54
    • Hatey McHateface on The People You Most Suspected: “Aye, Bob, not enough casualties in U, and not enough casualties in Amsterdam either. Not for you, anyway. And as…Nov 13, 06:50
    • Jay on The Show Goes On: “’greed and will to power’ must be at the core of it, that brought to mind the alleged Cecil Rhodes…Nov 13, 06:13
    • Robert Hughes on The People You Most Suspected: “” I don’t wish to demean the casualties in any way, but for me, one of the most grotesque and…Nov 13, 06:12
    • The Flying Iron of Doom on The People You Most Suspected: “I know that the left’s hatred of private education is de rigueur but with the way the schools are at…Nov 13, 06:03
    • SteepBrae on The People You Most Suspected: “Which would help explain why we’ve lost so many good politicians in recent years, from all parties: they were grounded…Nov 13, 04:21
    • Campbell Clansman on The People You Most Suspected: “Uh, big historical miscues by commenter Fearghas. Wolfe wasn’t even in Canada in 1751, let alone a major general in…Nov 13, 04:11
    • Young Lochinvar on The People You Most Suspected: “I wonder what school Biology lessons are like now? No, strike that, I don’t.. Anyone else watch Starmer quoting unachievable…Nov 13, 01:49
    • Breeks on The People You Most Suspected: “I wonder how the current war in Eastern Europe compares, with regards to casualties. The wanton nature of the propaganda…Nov 13, 01:28
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    • Young Lochinvar on The Show Goes On: “COE’s head replacement; 1. Male 2. Female 3. Qwerty mouthpiece.. Odds on considering the crime perpetrated historically? You couldn’t make…Nov 13, 01:10
    • V Hartley on The People You Most Suspected: “Basic, but real – sad in a way. Where did the grown-ups go?Nov 13, 00:41
    • Kevin Cargill on The People You Most Suspected: “For the umpteenth time on here and everywhere else. The unionists are not pouncing on this issue for the same…Nov 13, 00:11
    • Jay on The People You Most Suspected: “”What are they getting out of it?” The reasons which you set out seem eminently reasonable but someone, somewhere, pointed…Nov 12, 23:09
    • Jay on The Show Goes On: “Bright man like you should be able to work out that Trump would not pull the plug on the promised…Nov 12, 22:36
    • Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The People You Most Suspected: ““I should imagine that two or three independent highland companies might be of use; they are hardy, intrepid, accustomed to…Nov 12, 22:17
    • Alf Baird on The People You Most Suspected: “In colonial societies the elite is made up of two main groups (Memmi): 1. the colonizer/se***er, and; 2. the more…Nov 12, 22:13
    • BLMac on The People You Most Suspected: “It’s obvious that schools would be targeted. After all, who benefits from all this? Not the kids, they’re victims. The…Nov 12, 22:12
    • Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The People You Most Suspected: “From Tom Devine’s book The Scottish Nation 1700-2000: “Of the 157 battalions which comprised the British Expeditionary Force, 22 were…Nov 12, 22:10
    • Alf Baird on The People You Most Suspected: “Domination and hence ‘sadism’ lies at the heart of colonial oppression (Freire), for which liberation is the only remedy (Memmi).…Nov 12, 22:02
    • Rev. Stuart Campbell on The People You Most Suspected: ““And meanwhile in the big world the ex prime minister is declaring that if president elect Trump decides to cut…Nov 12, 21:59
    • Lee on The People You Most Suspected: “I’m retired. An ex headteacher. How in the name of common sense (and more pertinently, safeguarding) this school.is still open,…Nov 12, 21:53
    • Lee on The People You Most Suspected: “Arrant nonsense.Nov 12, 21:49
    • Glenn Boyd on The People You Most Suspected: “Very well saidNov 12, 21:37
    • Glenn Boyd on The People You Most Suspected: “So, Swinny is “a good chap” right? You are having an fcuking laugh! He is a little, low-life scumbag who…Nov 12, 21:34
    • willie on The People You Most Suspected: “And meanwhile in the big world the ex prime minister is declaring that if president elect Trump decides to cut…Nov 12, 20:50
    • Lorna Campbell on The People You Most Suspected: “It’s the politicians’ hard drives that require to be examined, along with the heads of these idiots who fall for…Nov 12, 20:49
    • agent X on The People You Most Suspected: “The accounts are available here https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/document-api-images-live.ch.gov.uk/docs/1RZdFh6ggX1UyDhRxGdsuxejFZ3NASC1pdH8YVRtN3M/application-pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=ASIAWRGBDBV3I7Y3FTTQ%2F20241112%2Feu-west-2%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20241112T204610Z&X-Amz-Expires=60&X-Amz-Security-Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEDcaCWV1LXdlc3QtMiJIMEYCIQCKVFKH7uz%2F%2B9YO2T9VI3Y8ysGOsX73rjstGSj8JavxlQIhAIYGMgKzY6G3wiW%2F25ty4uuQCg4kuVnxgbUUbn4QDVIeKsMFCMD%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEQBRoMNDQ5MjI5MDMyODIyIgzik8KNtYYUlDV6P3sqlwWej204b7X63TwRy0H%2BHlUpqyF7cwoF5e333MrriqAPNES4ts7JRTiVs0AoaYsTuiGFiQiOYcQf7M607uMNG5qeycNoCY0cZYSKN6%2FhpAd2hPWWC6ZUN7mhBjP7IxqYkF6Izmm1rZ0pibOr4S9idhUgrC%2B0hxSvAIyPnN17ojxhF3%2BTD1e66pqI29RO9u8%2FhvA%2BZbXmfefS46lSaoO%2BdzXJE3d0j%2BSMetGj4Pn6zIdgmDgvQ%2BHESG%2FZfzJ8DY7D96A4VfNPqH1Ndfz5Xx6PmIf6o4hNtdfBU2eeYl7rbsv4NiXFFY3mnrzj%2BGrqVQjcOo40WpcIBEn9xQ%2FDlaK3h%2FJ2hLR4AX2cBgL2cxK7aXeMegduvPrfOWk35eURZfE0RF5ffVF3B4TEhXC3k9hj0NSs7vSxLn1qII50KcQFrumHz5EPSD5Qy0O7leNiKYICSDbGHu1ghipFNvvg45NfuJDQZZdoeFPazVVzTzuoJqWgpqqnuh9K6XaJXlhvbu58NNGWAXqiAxIqzdbEYedG5n6QugzBJ7Lx2psFnBcg41u2CjeoRKdKFaaDByjib%2Fawc6UzJhh2thYdNBuwF8wmyvZ28OWduscleom8CQLJlkdJBPeSj3gRM5bzEVyX%2BWgY95L7RihjJ2vHpXO40AXy6tFX6%2BVybtJ1IBfEPL7pm75Y7p0XwHKf5mdE2%2FUtHUmEHf4tMQJtJqnsplBqU9GKq7pCD13FSi90J9UI5bY8drU%2BoknlPRxIRHntSXasnsXrOZKoj5S36EAkpOqEAEh5qqhv3M6%2BfWLnYLnHVotdiZssv5fnFabraFBzQgbPkyi1agBDiBSdj5fkmBpf%2BgojsQkmdjkVKkIWe3SpwtB%2FN6C9kZMyg72FAQgw88zNuQY6sAELieQPwAuOD%2BY5kwtf3ooEwhDoWliXY1yWdXXqcmOteKgDtyOo5oH2IJQ8ktQDDJSL72Jg1TWuY6VZKVp%2Frd6IM%2FFWhHW0e6ant%2BkxXgjApl46BwzBpBavdGVCaAOtJ2l0XUhVkqMoar0fllulKjdxei2dHyWkUBaSntD3xnmIOyzDleyklh9inEmjL1jsEtR9zTMzbrXqmj5UIh6TQJdoIwR7pOO4Nq%2BNm6yCNBuk5A%3D%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&response-content-disposition=inline%3Bfilename%3D%22companies_house_document.pdf%22&X-Amz-Signature=face822a20ba8f7741548cff76e91b9eb200073002e4ad87b3045c0e94334a56Nov 12, 20:47
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    • Relak Singh on The People You Most Suspected: “Thank God that LGBT stands for Liquor, Guns, Beef and Tits again in the US again.Nov 12, 20:14
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