Should he stand for Westminster? Could he step up his commitment to renewable energy
by securing the odd directorship or two?
In
his final full week in post, he will be able to mull over his options in style,
as he has treated himself to a stay at one of his favourite hotels:
Gleneagles.
I
am told he arrived on Monday and will stay for the SNP party conference, which
begins tomorrow in Perth.
Before
the cynics pounce, and point to his great love of expensive hotels, they
should consider his limited options.
Cost-effective accommodation in Perth? Come off it. He’s a historic
figure.
Bute House? You know, the Georgian masterpiece he calls home.
Clearly
this would be unsuitable. Bute House to Perth is a long drive for a chauffeur.
As
for who is funding the First Minister’s vital overnight stays, three options
present themselves: the public wallet; the party wallet, or, most improbably, his
own wallet.
According
to a spokesman for the Scottish Government, the taxpayer is not picking up the
bill.
“These
costs are not being met by the Scottish Government,” an official in the press office said.
However,
a spokesman for the SNP has cleared up the mystery and confirmed the source of
the largesse:
“Yes,
the SNP is paying for this.”
Much
has been made of the 80,000 plus membership the SNP has attracted since ending up on the losing side in the referendum.
A
loyal bunch, the new recruits will no doubt agree that the First Minister deserves
an inspiring environment from which to write his final farewell speech.
