One day later and in a reshuffle no-one foresaw he revealed a decision that will alter the independence debate.
With support for independence stuck at a level well below striking distance of a yes vote, it might still not be enough, but moving Nicola Sturgeon to her new role appears a shrewd move.
Infrastructure, investment and cities with responsibility for government strategy and the constitution (i.e. independence referendum) might at first seem unco-ordinated, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Of course, Mr Salmond is open to the charge he is putting the referendum before the NHS and recovery.
Nicola Sturgeon is now in charge of the referendum, but also the policy areas where there will be battles with the Tories at Westminster over cuts.
Unemployment, jobs, growth, transport, welfare reforms, child poverty and housing are all under her portfolio.
Until now much of the debate has been about the pound, the Queen, Nato and banking regulation. Expect a shift to more matters that people can relate to in their everyday lives, the ones that Ms Sturgeon has been handed.
Many have long made up their mind one way or another and the referendum will be won or lost on how the others vote – and both sides will be out to woo them in the next two years.
Cuts are expected to get deeper, Tory damage to Scotland more severe and family budgets under more pressure with anger and resentment at the UK Government growing stronger.
Women often bear the brunt of deprivation and poverty trying to raise children and the votes of many yet undecided women will be crucial to the outcome in 2014.
Arguing the case with Westminster for the SNP, will be Ms Sturgeon – not another middle aged man in a grey suit.
She has also brought in another woman, Margaret Burgess, to handle the welfare and housing brief, a former Citizens' Advice Bureau officer used to dealing with the individual hardships.
As David Cameron's Tories become more Tory, more male and more right wing and uncaring, the SNP is desperate to show they have the opposite vision. Gender aside, putting arguably the country's most formidable politician at the forefront of a strategy is definitely a renewed focus.
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STEWART PATERSON: Holyrood Week
STEWART PATERSON: Holyrood Week
FIRST day back at Holyrood and opposition leaders claimed Alex Salmond had run out of ideas when he revealed his government's plans.
One day later and in a reshuffle no-one foresaw he revealed a decision that will alter the independence debate.
With support for independence stuck at a level well below striking distance of a yes vote, it might still not be enough, but moving Nicola Sturgeon to her new role appears a shrewd move.
Infrastructure, investment and cities with responsibility for government strategy and the constitution (i.e. independence referendum) might at first seem unco-ordinated, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Of course, Mr Salmond is open to the charge he is putting the referendum before the NHS and recovery.
Nicola Sturgeon is now in charge of the referendum, but also the policy areas where there will be battles with the Tories at Westminster over cuts.
Unemployment, jobs, growth, transport, welfare reforms, child poverty and housing are all under her portfolio.
Until now much of the debate has been about the pound, the Queen, Nato and banking regulation. Expect a shift to more matters that people can relate to in their everyday lives, the ones that Ms Sturgeon has been handed.
Many have long made up their mind one way or another and the referendum will be won or lost on how the others vote – and both sides will be out to woo them in the next two years.
Cuts are expected to get deeper, Tory damage to Scotland more severe and family budgets under more pressure with anger and resentment at the UK Government growing stronger.
Women often bear the brunt of deprivation and poverty trying to raise children and the votes of many yet undecided women will be crucial to the outcome in 2014.
Arguing the case with Westminster for the SNP, will be Ms Sturgeon – not another middle aged man in a grey suit.
She has also brought in another woman, Margaret Burgess, to handle the welfare and housing brief, a former Citizens' Advice Bureau officer used to dealing with the individual hardships.
As David Cameron's Tories become more Tory, more male and more right wing and uncaring, the SNP is desperate to show they have the opposite vision. Gender aside, putting arguably the country's most formidable politician at the forefront of a strategy is definitely a renewed focus.
And a whole new ball game...
Commenting & Moderation
We moderate all comments on Evening Times on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you're a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you've broken the rules, which are available here.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.
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