Even pro-UK parties accept there is a ruthless electoral logic to Alex Salmond’s Alba party.
The SNP’s success in Holyrood constituencies means they will likely pick up very few MSPs from the regional List contests.
Salmond believes an Alba vote on the Lists could get round this problem and deliver a “supermajority” of MSPs.
He is also of the view that a pro-indy Parliament could present a united front and put pressure on Westminster over independence.
The flaw in the argument is that the disparate elements of the pro-independence movement are anything but united.
Nicola Sturgeon loathes Alba and sees them as a hindrance to the SNP winning over soft No voters.
The wounds from her Government’s botched sexual misconduct probe into Salmond are also raw.
In his interview with the Record, Salmond insisted he wanted to “move on” from his recent battles with Sturgeon over the unlawful investigation but, at same time, he wants to sue the Scottish Government.
Every development in this legal action would be played out in the media. It is hard to imagine a less unifying move.
The suspicion is Salmond, who has little in his life other than politics, is using his election bid to torment Sturgeon.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility that he would use his status as an MSP to pursue the loose ends of the botched Inquiry.
The Sturgeon-Salmond backbiting of the last few months has consumed Scottish politics – and not in a good way.
If Salmond is elected in May, a dreary political psychodrama could be in line for another season that lasts for years.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
