Trio of Aries Warriors
Aries men, they say, are natural leaders. They are passionate and once committed to a cause will throw their heart and soul into it. They are decisive, honest and always speak their minds.
Today, I am happy to celebrate the birthday of three Aries men - all at one time or another a significant part of my life. All true nationalists. All true Arians.
In order of age, from the baby up then ...
Ian McCann, Party Clerk to SNP
Ian is something like 35 today and it's his first birthday as a dad, since his wife Jeanette Campbell, former SNP Press Officer gave birth to his mini-me, baby Theo last November. Ian has all of the aforementioned Arian traits and in particular, the speaking his mind bit. I worked with Ian at SNP HQ for 5 years but unfortunately I cannot give you any examples of him speaking his mind because it'd be too much for you. Trust me :-) But he is also one of the funniest people I have ever met - in a way that you keep thinking you really shouldn't be laughing, but you just can't help it.
John Swinney, Candidate in North Tayside, Former Leader SNP
John was party leader for most of the time that I worked at SNP HQ. He's 43 today. What many people outwith the party don't realise is that John Swinney was the man who oversaw some of the most radical internal changes the SNP had ever seen. Had he not done what he did, we would not be where we are today. He professionalised the SNP. John had his critics but the thing I hated hearing the most was that he was "a nice person". He was and still is, it's true. But he's so much more than NICE. I sat in on meetings with John and very senior oil executives and he was incredible. He was dynamic, open, passionate and he listened. The oil executives were blown away. It's amazing what the press can do to a person's image but the John Swinney I know is one of the best politicans this country has. Which would explain him having the highest majority in Scotland. So happy birthday to John who assured me he would not be taking a day off of campaigning.
The Late Stuart Keir Purdie, my Granda, Founding Member of Greenock SNP
Granda Purdie was, to us grandkids, mostly hilarious. Particularly when he told us to "go and play tig with a hatchett"!! He had an incredibly dry, sharp sense of humour. He didn't say much but it was generally worth waiting for. He didn't smile often, nor laugh but when he did, he really did - to me, he sounded like Mutley from Dastardly and Mutley when he laughed. And he was a nationalist all his life. Believed 100% in Scottish Independence. Loved Scottish culture particularly Rabbie Burns - he had a quote for every occasion and I DO mean EVERY. Don't remember him leafletting much but can definitely remember him toasting Independence :-) He'd have been 94 today and crankier than ever. But he would have been overjoyed with the SNP's performance these days. As they say on all the best postcards, I really wish he was here to see it.
So there you go, happy birthday to all 3 and let's hope you get a fantastic belated birthday present on May 3rd!
