'I’ve been touring these constituencies for 10 years — why don’t they vote?' |
Some absurd choreography now clings to these big election counts. At the Emirates Arena in Glasgow among the muffled cheers bringing news of an unexpected victory on a faraway shore, suddenly there’s some air displacement as the photographers rush towards what look like small advancing military detachments. Here are the Greens filing in behind Patrick Harvie. There are about 30 of them and they form a phalanx around Mr Harvie, the man chiefly responsible for their surge. They could be the roadies for a 70s prog rock band like Yes or Pink Floyd.
Not long after, the Reform crew stride in, but with a slightly more belligerent air and in a more military style. A couple of robust, shaven-headed chaps are walking as though they’re the hired muscle for Thomas Kerr who marches at their head. Mr Kerr, prominent for Reform in this election, says all the right things: there’ll be change; we’re looking forward to the rest of the day; we’ve worked hard for this. The party workers then disperse, not seeming to know what comes next. They haven’t done as well as they’d previously expected, but probably done enough to hand a dozen or so seats to the SNP.
In contrast to their sworn foes, the Scottish Greens look organised. Young Anthony Carroll, a local councillor for Dennistoun in the east end of Glasgow is in huddled discussion with Mr Harvie. Then he begins directing aides towards the tables where the ballot papers are being counted. This is where they can get an early indication of success or failure. They’re wreathed in smiles and radiate youthful pep. Their optimism is well-founded. In a few hours, they’ll have made history by winning their first constituency seats after 25 years of trying.
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