Poachers Turned Gamekeeper

The news that Torcuil Crichton, the Daily Record’s long-serving Westminster Editor is set to become Labour candidate in Na h-Eileanan an Iar at the next General Election created a mixed reaction. Those of a generous disposition might say ‘well at least he’s putting himself forward to the public vote’, while those of a more cynical outlook might say this just shows up the revolving door between political and media elites, who are joined at the hip.

Crichton’s candidacy will be a challenge to the sitting MP Angus MacNeil who won his seat in 2019 with a majority of just 2,438 to Labour’s Alison MacCorquodale. MacNeil’s announcement was welcomed by Colonel Ruth Davidson who tweeted chummily:  “Congratulations on your selection, Torc. X”

The move renews focus on the inter-play between journalists and politicians, the most high-profile move being Davidson herself who had previously worked for the BBC. Other ‘Poachers Turned Gamekeepers’ include Joan McAlpine, who had been the editor of the Sunday Times Scotland (and deputy editor of The Herald), Angus Robertson MSP who had been an international journalist, Michael Gove (P&J and the Times), plus of course Boris Johnson (Telegraph and the Spectator). Other famous journalists-tuned politicians include: Sarah Palin, Michael Foot, Nigel Lawson. (Financial Times, Sunday Telegraph) and Michael Ignatieff. Of course some will say the murkier area is really the revolving door between former editors becoming party ‘communications directors’  – or the (even) murkier world of think-tanks and lobby groups.

Whatever your take, the sitting MP Angus MacNeil will have a challenge. Some say MacNeil’s political base is too much dominated in Uist and Barra and not on Lewis (where Crichton is from) and Harris. Others suggest that MacNeil’s flirtation with ALBA will make him more unpopular to the constituency, or that Crichton is a figure that could attract Conservative and Liberal support. Others argue that Labour has lost its support in the Outer Hebrides for good. Who knows?

The issues of depopulation, the rural housing crisis, ferry services, jobs, Brexit’s impact on trade and tourism and gaelic language are all likely to be key in the constituency at the next election, possibly more that party affiliation.