3 unexpected moments at the Inverness Courier Leadership Debate
The Inverness Courier SNP Leadership Debate was designed to present the issues faced by the Highlands before the next First Minister so when we were working on this a number of things did not occur to us.
Three issues in particular that were mentioned by the candidates did arise and played absolutely no part in our planning and preparations, and no one at the Courier has issues with any of them.
So here they are – the things that took us by surprise:
1. Harry Gows and Dream Rings
To be honest, we should have guessed this could come up because the debate venue was Kings at Smithton, which is right next door to a Harry Gows, the purveyors of the Dream Ring.
It was one of the first things that Humza Yousaf mentioned when expressing his appreciation for the event: “There is going to be a lot that we all get out of this debate but having been told about Dream Rings at Harry Gows is probably one of the best things.”
So if Mr Yousaf becomes First Minister anyone wishing to butter him up can send him a Dream Ring.
2. The rivals actually get along well together
Many people have the impression from the debates and hustings so far that amid the harsh criticism of each others’ policies there may be quite a lot of animosity between them – this is not so.
Both backstage and at their podiums during the debate all three showed warmth to one another. Perhaps after what was politely called “robust” discussions in numerous debates before Friday they have simply got tired of going at each other.
The section where they got to cross-question one another was almost worthy of a Disney movie as Kate Forbes generously asked what Ash Regan would spend a hypothetical £100 million on the Highlands, and what Mr Yousaf’s favourite island was. Mr Yousaf then asked Ms Forbes what, if she becomes First Minister, she would take to Bute House to remind her of the Highlands, which leads to the third surprise.
3. Aultbea Black Pudding
It must be admitted that the team working on the debate may have missed a trick here, by not mentioning Black Pudding, which for many is a hugely divisive issue.
Ask almost anyone in the north and you are likely to come across two intensely felt views – either very for or very against – families are split on the Pudding, is it tasty or not? Decades of friendship are risked as once again the case is made by aficionados to suspicious critics.
But if Kate Forbes does move into the First Minister’s residence on St Andrew’s Square then she confirmed that she would be taking – in answer to Mr Yousaf’s question – Aultbea Black Pudding to remind her of home.
