So cynical

Salmond’s faux pas

Politicians often take comfort in the idea that they are unduly vilified and do not deserve to be regarded as cynically as they sometimes are. Of course they are right — but not all of the time.

Scottish nationalist Alex Salmond reacted with dignity to what was the democratic rejection of his life’s cause, albeit by a single-digit margin, last week when he resigned as Scotland’s first minister and as SNP leader.

What a pity it is then that yesterday he characterised those who voted against him and his cause as dupes who had been “tricked” with the promise of immediate new powers for Scotland. Surely he might have waited until those very demanding deadlines had been reached before passing such an insulting judgement on the majority of his compatriots? This is the kind of behaviour, this kind of sniping, that can paint politicians in such a poor light.

Of course time may prove him right, but the cynicism of his assertion is directly reflected in how politics and politicians are viewed. And, of course, it would never happen here.