ASKING Scots if they recognised Scottish party leaders yielded some surprising, hilarious and (for Alex Cole-Hamilton) flattering results.
With a new Scottish Tory leader just taking over, we headed out in Glasgow to ask the public if they recognised the politicians heading up parties represented in Holyrood.
Some could not name them, most could name the party, and others could even guess a Tory just by looking at them.
Out of around 15 people, only one person managed to name them all and when we told him he was the only person who did, he said: “You’re kidding me? Strewth.”
Almost all of the participants were able to name John Swinney (with only one confidently given Willie Rennie mix-up), but everyone asked was able to name Alex Salmond.
Anas Sarwar was the only leader who was mistaken for belonging to another party … Several thought he was a Tory, with one remembering his father owns a wholesale business worth millions of pounds. Not a great look for the Scottish Labour leader on his home patch.
Russell Findlay can also be pleased with his recognisability despite only being leader of the Scottish Conservatives since September 27. Several were able to say he was the new party leader, with one remembering he was a journalist for The Sun newspaper. However, most people couldn't name him.
One woman, who was home visiting after living in Australia for 18 years, simply said, “he looks like a Tory,” when showed his picture.
The Greens co-leaders were also party-recognisable but not many could name one of them let alone two. However, one man was able to remember Lorna Slater was Canadian.
Alex-Cole Hamilton was the least recognised – but the only one who received a compliment on his “nice blue eyes”.
