Jim Murphy and the rough and tumble of election politics
“SNP are w******!” “Bunch of fannies!” You know you’re covering a stump speech north of Carlisle when you hear such colourful contributions to our political discourse.
It was the Scottish Labour leader’s first major foray onto the streets to be among the electorate in a campaign which has been criticised for its stage control.
For Murphy though, like Sturgeon, it’s an environment he’s more than capable in. He thrives on the rough and tumble of this type of politics, having managed 100 such stump speeches in his campaign to keep Scotland in the union last year.
It’s that campaign – specifically being on the same side as the Tories – that hangs over the Labour party in Scotland, eating away at its core support, dogging them at every turn.
As Murphy found when he pulled away to hop into his waiting car. A passing taxi driver had slowed down, lowered his window and extended a hand in that trademark Glaswegian style. Anyone would have forgiven the Labour leader for expecting a pleasant exchange with a supporter. “I’m voting SNP! Labour in bed with the Tories!” shouted the cabbie.
“All right mate, see you later,” sounded a weary Jim.