Alex Salmond - my memories
Alex and Me at St Andrews in 1977
Last Saturday whilst listening to Radio 5, a ‘breaking news’ item informed me of the death of my friend, Alex Salmond.
Known to most as a Politician and former First Minister of Scotland, our friendship began before he became a national figure. I met him at St Andrews University in 1974; I had voted for the first time in a General Election and despite being English I had chosen to vote SNP. He sought me out to find out why, and over several hours and many cups of coffee he explained to me why he supported Scottish Independence. Independence would also increase devolution in England, moving power away from Westminster. He was well read politically and could get the better of anyone in Political discussion, but he had wider interests; in Heart of Midlothian FC, Poetry (especially RS Thomas), Bridge, Horse Racing and generally in enjoying life as a student.
We became good friends and colleagues – not just in his emerging political ambitions, but as bridge partners, pinball players and football followers. We engaged in Student Politics both at St Andrews and Nationally, and we both spoke at the Annual SNP Conference in Dundee in 1977 – I left my Anatomy exam early to do so, but it was Alex’ speech that was later televised.
Even back then Alex was a radical. In September 1976 he organised a ‘Radical Roadshow’ which included invited politicians from across the left; this was published as The Radical Approach – Papers on an Independent Scotland’. The left wing party the SNP became is his legacy, although now represented by a different political entity.
His desire to move the SNP into a mainstream left-wing political party was strong even as a 21-year-old student.
He published a student newspaper ‘The Free Student Press’ which we distributed free of charge to every student in Scotland, often delivering them around Scotland in the back of my car.
After I left St Andrews in 1977, I returned to England and completed my Medical degree in 1980. We stayed in touch, enjoying the hospitality of his family, and being well looked after by his wife Moira in their Linlithgow apartment. Having been purged as part of the SNP ‘79 group’ in 1982, he was unable to attend our wedding in 1983 - there was an important meeting and, as expected, politics took precedence. I understood though.
After his election as an MP for Banff and Buchan in 1987 we were never again in regular contact. I concentrated on my Medical Career and he extended his political influence in Westminster and Scotland. Apart from the occasional message, Christmas card and (latterly) text, our lives moved is different directions. Nevertheless I still called him a friend. I followed his political progress from the disruption of the Budget speech, via devolution to the Independence Referendum of 2014. I was devastated that he was unable to fulfil his life-long political ambition for a Yes vote. It must have continued to hurt.
Who knows how much would have changed, both in Scotland and the rest of the UK, if Yes had won?
But politics aside it was as a funny, generous, irascible friend that I remember him most. He was always prepared to work hard for what he wanted, he always expected others to share his enthusiasms, and he always gave back to the friendship. He once persuaded me to take him to Kirkcaldy on the back of my Honda 50 because he had heard of a new Pinball machine in a cafe there, also to start teaching him to drive in the wee small hours after a long Bridge session. I always looked forward to seeing him. He could relate on a personal level to anyone.
As one of our friends said, in what could be his obituary, ‘your patter is magic’.
I felt especially privileged that he had somehow singled out this fairly immature and politically naive Englishman to be his friend. My time at St Andrews is inextricably linked with memories of being in his company.
There will be thousands of words written and spoken about Alex the politician; I wanted to record a few about Alex as the friend and as the man I knew. Ironically my last direct contact with him was after his acquittal on all charges in 2019.
He will be remembered as a consummate politician and a crucial part of Scottish (and indeed World) history, but I will mainly remember a decent man and a good friend, from back when friendship mattered more than fame.
RIP Alex.
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