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And the winner is…….

• Brian Taylor
• 2 May 07, 06:13 PM

The Oscars for ugly people. Thus one of my esteemed colleagues described elections. Seems a tad brutal – but I couldn’t resist. So here they are.

Best Photocall: Annabel Goldie and the Tories by a street. The quad bikes, the launch in a kids play area – and, above all, today with Bella dangling from an abseiling rope in Leith. (The Tories would also win worst photocall for that early gag with the silent megaphones outside Holyrood – but no matter.)

Best Manifesto Launch: The most confident, the most polished was that offered by the SNP. Labour’s was effective, Nicol Stephen’s microphone didn’t work. On balance, it has to be the Nationalists.

Best Campaign Event: Despite my resolution to eschew business breakfasts, I’ll go for the Edinburgh gig addressed by Gordon Brown and Jack McConnell. Strong speeches, strong message – and an extended opportunity to question both afterwards.

Best Honed Message: Nicol Stephen with his response to the coalition question. From the outset, he was ready (I suppose he’s had all that time in power to prepare.) By the close, he had his answer word for word. Ready to talk, no to independence referendum.

The astute among you – and readers of this blog are scientifically established as the most astute folk on the globe – will have spotted that I have included each of the majors.

All have won and all must have prizes, to quote that great political observer, Lewis Carroll.