MG spent the rest of his afternoon up in Glenrothes in order to help out his party leader, Alajv’s campaign in this critical marginal seat. Unusual for a leader to contest a marginal but here we are. This is an MMP voting system after all so nothing too drastic will happen in the nightmare scenario that will not be discussed any further. Imagine we are the gestapo and this is Munich in ‘38.

Thankfully for everyone we of course are not the gestapo - and the last time they main an election intervention it didn’t exactly go down too well for who they supported did it? Anyway let’s not dwell on that - if anyone asks we can all say that I was present but not involved, sounds fairly acceptable doesn’t it? I hear Tunisia is lovely at this time of year.

Anyway I was First Minister once, a long long time ago, so I know what it is like to have your MSP at the heart of government and yes it is different from having a backbencher. I will refute anyone, however, who says that it is disadvantageous for the constituency - this is simply not the case. Leaders lead, they do ot formula the minute details of every individual policy so there is time for local work.

Indeed, if you stay with me now then i’ll tell you that when your MSP is at the centre of power, the interests of the local area will feature prominently whether the MSP intends to or not. It is inevitable because no leader, however good, can possibly develop an intimate relationship with every corner of their country. This means that when they think of the local impact of policy, the communities affected, they think about where they know best, where they represent.

This is what I want for people here later this month. To stick with the Greens and place ourselves at the heart of Scotland. Let’s get these communities better connected to Glasgow, let’s transform Methil and Grangemouth across the Forth, let’s improve the life standards of everyone. Now, I can only chap so many doors here, meet so any voters, post so many leaflets - I have my own constituency down south - but you can. If you believe in us and our positive vision then don’t just vote for us.

Campaign with us and help deliver the change that you want to see - I promise that you’ll feel better about yourself when you wrap up warm back home at the end of the evening. These winter elections are tough, the nights are drawing in, there is no denying any of this.

These are not excuses. They are feeble platitudes that the losing party will take to the airwaves with on election night - we will see through them then as much as we do now. Let’s get to work so that the Greens aren’t the ones in that position.