Voters probably hoped events this week at Holyrood had ended the psychodrama between Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond.
The First Minister did not resign as a result of her government’s botched sexual misconduct probe into her predecessor, and Salmond appeared to signal a ceasefire.
For 24 hours it appeared the bitter feud that had disfigured Scottish politics was over.
Salmond’s decision to stand for Holyrood for a rival pro-independence party means the circus will go on.
It will dominate the election campaign and continue into the next term if, as is entirely possible, Salmond is elected.
Having failed to convince an official inquiry that he was the victim of a massive conspiracy, he now seems determined to wear down Sturgeon through a political battle.
He said his Alba Party aims to create a supermajority of indy-backing MSPs but in reality it is a magnet for Sturgeon critics.
Her detractors believe her strategy for securing independence is flawed and loathe her recently passed Hate Crime Bill.
Both issues were addressed by Salmond who clearly wants high-profile defections from the SNP.
Salmond’s entrance into the election, and the effect it could have on the next parliament, may also end up damaging Scotland.
As we said yesterday, the country’s top priority should be recovering from the pandemic.
We need a government committed to reduce child poverty levels, reshaping public services and rebooting the economy.
Our drug death figures shame us and inequality in education is a national disgrace.
We need a parliament focusing on the people’s priorities, rather than on personality politics.
During ’s first spell as leader, he took the SNP from the fringes to being the largest party at Holyrood.
In his second spell, he took it into government and secured an independence referendum. The SNP became the colossus of Scottish politics.
Salmond is a skilled politician and more than capable of winning enough votes on the North East Scotland list to become an MSP again.
However, he does not need to stand again and he must know his candidacy can only do more harm than good.
Scotland needs to unite after a year of trauma and heartache.
We need to rise to the challenge after months of nonsense between Sturgeon and her predecessor.
Salmond’s candidacy will deepen divisions, when in fact the country is crying out to be healed.
