Salmond is Jolly for 'the Weans' (BBC Scotland's Children in Need)

First Minister Alex Salmond appeared on BBC Scotland's Children in Need in the guise of famous comic misanthrope the Reverend I M Jolly.
The dour minister created by the late Rikki Fulton was a popular fixture in the Hogmanay TV schedules with his catchphrase "Ah've had a helluva year".
Mr Salmond said his evangelical crusades went down well in Glasgow East - slightly less well in Glenrothes.
He said: "I preached 'yes we can', the people replied, 'nah we didnae'."
Addressing the nation from his armchair, the first minister said: "Dearly beloved fellow Scots - and Gordon Brown.
"It is at times of great fiscal strain and hardship that we turn to the Bible for words of comfort and solace.
"Take Genesis: And God said 'Let there be sky - and those who can afford Sky can watch the best fitba'.
"And the Lord also said 'Let there be light' - but he changed his mind when the leccy bill came in."
Mr Salmond also poked fun at his predecessor as first minister, Jack McConnell.
The SNP leader said: "I'd also like to thank him for the present of fish he left for me in Bute House - under the floorboards.
"Moira and I had a great time to replacing all the light bulbs he'd taken with him."
The first minister concluded his message: "Please dig deep, it's for the weans."

[@JMcG1941]

Excellent! This is the man to lead Scotland out of the current depression....

[@241244]

Fantastic Mr Salmond -- just proves you`re streets ahead of the Scottish Labour numpties who could never raise a single laugh!! Let`s have some more of your version of Rev I M Jolly -- a great tribute to the much missed Rikki Fulton!

[@scottishjanie]

Completey agree it doesn't matter what religion, race or gender you are. That is what Scotland will become one day, and I can't wait to see that.

[@Arbobug]

Alex Salmond is the man! This just makes me respect him even more. Great to see our First Minister having fun and for a good cause too.

[@craigscot67]

They've been telling us for years that there is little oil left. In the '70s and '80s we were told there was only a decade of it left. Funny that eh!

[@Duncsta22]

Scots are probably the most inventive people in the world and made the UK the powerhouse that it has been. Thanks for the concern Wilsey(I think) but I'm quite sure we can handle it....

[@theamazingstu]

I think Salmon does a great job! Both in office and as Jolly in this clip. It's for a good cause and it's pretty funny.

[@hafpipe]

Brilliant!!! Always liked ALEX, but now I think he's pure genius! He's got guts.

[@bcnsco]

Well done Alec! Good to see our first minister having a bit of fun on the tv. All for a good cause too.

[@MrScotmac]

there are children in need that Ian Duncan Smith put there

[@KelticWoman1]

Excellent, loved it.

[@craigscot67]

He's not anti-British. Just pro-Scottish. What a refreshing change.

[@u21mam2]

Well done Salmond I think it is good for a politician to have a sense of humour, especially when they can poke fun at themselves. There are few leading politicians who would do this, and definately not Brown and probably not Cameron either.Bravo

[@ianharrywebb]

Excellent!! Ricky Fulton would be proud. Good one Alex. A First Minister with a sense of humor.

[@haddingtonbb41]

Brilliant alex, the greatest living scot.

[@JamesSmith-ij3jb]

Bet this was not shown in England but only in Scotland. Yet Scotland is forced to watch English tv

[@jdhunteresq]

The best First Minister so far!

[@craigscot67]

Quality - he pulled that off perfectly. I think McConnell might have been able to do a good job of this too, what with him being a comedian (judging by some of his policies). Can you imagine Iain (the) Gray (man) doing this? No, didn't think so.

[@EdFreshwater]

PFF, Because it was the LAW. Under Scot's law, the rules for compassionate release are actually tougher than the English law.

[@bigandyd]

I am going to vote for him because he is funny. Who cares about the economy, the wars or the knife crime in the country. Why is it anytime you turn on the TV or read a paper, there is a politician trying to be a celebrity (chat shows, award ceremonies). Do your job and you will get voted in.

[@NickLawrie]

Excellent stuff Alex. Bravo...

[@carljenkins1585]

Excellent. A second career beckons.

[@NorthLimitation]

I put the expression 'dirty jobs' in inverted commas because I do NOT believe that they are dirty, they are the backbone of our society and we could not function without the citizens who fulfill such roles. I actually study EU law alongside Scots Law, so I prefer to make up my own mind on such issues rather than basing them on scare-mongering websites.

[@chancergordy]

@MrBear1873 , you still reading that DAiLY RECORD?

[@rabkay3177]

Some really sad people making weird comments, as Eck says dig deep.

[@wonjubhoy]

his mood on his last day as the first minister

[@Stephan987]

RIP Big Eck

[@scottishjanie]

That was so funny!

[@NickLawrie]

England would see no advantage. For one thing no more oil, no more compliant well educated sector of your economy, no more free resources, free training ground for Army and Air force, no more control of strategic gateway to N.Atlantic etc etc etc. And rump UK would face a challenge to its voting power at the EU, its seat on the Security council at the UN and many other slights against its Imperial delusions once an asset as central as Scotland becomes independent.

[@marconatrix]

OK, he's still a politician, but you could almost ... almost ... trust him.

[@craigscot67]

I believe that someone who doesn't want independence can be just as Scottish as me - ill-informed and feart but Scottish all the same. The view of most in the Scottish Parliament (the one that really matters up here) is that the war was one big waste of life and money. And show me where I've implied its 'England's War'. It was supported by the UK Parliament. You are right though - the majority don't want indy. But the majority also don't want to retain the union. The undecideds are the key.

[@craigscot67]

Just let him go for it. People like Rascasseman are doing more for the independence cause than they can ever imagine. Oh the irony.

[@davidmackay3454]

Outstandingly funny

[@MacJaxonManOfAction]

@cammymcghee SNP free Scotland? Yes, the SNP WILL free Scotland, you're quite right. ;-)

[@chancergordy]

@EqualityScotland . Of course we are. Funny though that Englands elected Conservative government are actively encouraging N.I to become more independent but discourage Scotland, mmmm! Wonder why?

[@checkpointscotland]

@entyrion he's taken over from Wallace, & will get us through anything.....he doesn't run away!!!

[@scottishjanie]

Woop vote SNP! Alex Salmond rocks!

[@NorthLimitation]

We aren't the same. Scottish culture is completely different to English, as is the Gaelic language, our legal system, education etc. We both know that in terms of race, Scotland and England are very different, but similar in ways.

[@2007kiltie]

great stuff!!

[@bcnsco]

Wilsey, you really do have a major chip on your shoulder regards Scotland.

[@ecosse1982]

im wi haddington on this 1 tha dudez a fcukn legend snp till i die

[@jhill74893]

you have a new career

[@laurabatten9053]

King of the north!

[@LaynieFae]

Now THAT was funny. Would you see the likes of Cameron doing that? Naw, I dinae think so!

[@NickLawrie]

You don't know what you're talking about. Scottish oil is not a resource in decline. The Unionist media have down played various reports that reveal Scottish oil will last up to 100 years. This is why Westminster is so scared of a Scots referendum on independence. Beyond oil we are an asset to the UK. For one thing we are the only part of the UK that sends a surplus to the Treasury. The idea that England subsidises Scotland is a canard that not even the Tories dare to promulgate any more.

[@gerard1875]

Perhaps Big Eck should consider taking Holy Orders BIG G

[@chancergordy]

@RichardElden , now why would I support any unionist party and one which is worse than the Conservative party. Conservatives in Scotland represent the Union of Scotland and England and encourage people with skills to use them. Labour tell us we have to vote for them to stop the Conservative party and that Conservative will cut welfare. "vote Tory and you will lose tax credits and benefits". Vote Tory to remain in the UK and get a job, Vote Labour to remain part of the UK and get benefits.

[@kintakintyea]

Weel Deen tae yea Aleck!!!!

[@Ayeshteni]

Salmond for Prez! :D Aye

[@IsMiseStiùbhart]

@rabblue Support the union? Why? What good thing has the Westminster Government ever done for Scotland?

[@Dave1297]

@FrankClanton Yes mate. I believe in an episode he voted for the Tories in a Govan by-election in order to get a carpet?

[@craigscot67]

Seats, not votes.

[@bcnsco]

maybe he doesnt need to use his wife as a means of promoting himself. Unlike Brown and Blair.

[@craigscot67]

And your proof is?

[@91amp]

it suits him

[@IsMiseStiùbhart]

@chancergordy All very glamorous, but all that aside, we're better off on our own.

[@tirnaog09]

I'll be voting SNp Alex! Blair and his lies finished Labour for me.

[@jamesbyker]

congrats..not a bad go,,,

[@IsMiseStiùbhart]

@RichardElden I also take notice on how you were unable to answer my question. You don't actually have an answer, so you'd fit right in with the Labour party in making stupid remarks instead of having anything worthwhile to say.

[@maddoorsfan]

excellent lol SNP all the way!!!!!!!!!!

[@MisterGlasgow]

Dear soon to be Ex 1st Minister ,You didn't dig deep when you shot down in flames my proposal to establish an anti Knife crime boxing project in Camlachie /Glasgow East..You stated the funding needed was Commonwealth Games funding which wasn't available.Tell me Alex is there a commonwealth sport of "Getting stabbed' ? I wasn't proposing that our club members were aiming for the 'Games' It was more about changing attitudes through the medium of sport..you couldn't careless ..a total imposter

[@knightswoodtom]

oh i see the mass mirgation since 2007

[@bcnsco]

Theres always someone who lets their own politics get in the way of being positive about something like this that is for a bit of fun and to raise money for kids. bigandyd - grow up.

[@checkpointscotland]

@cameranzo1 HAHA.....it's still SNP!!!!!

[@scottishjanie]

This is so funny! Oh for goodnasake guys below get a life, it is a JOKE for comic relief. If this was a real parliamentary speech I think we would all be worried. This was for Charity and he pulled off a very funny scetch, could you imagine Ian Gray or Annabel Goldie doing this??? Exactly, NO!

[@craigscot67]

Scotland gets a block grant from London. Holyrood spends it as it sees fit. If we didn't do it this way then London would decide how to spend our money. So you wouldn't be 12 billion a year better off. The money would just be allotted differently. If no tuition fees, free dentistry, reduced class sizes, increased pension are rash policies then give me rash policies any day. Much better than spending billions on an illegal war - oh if you want to save some money there's where to start looking.

[@IsMiseStiùbhart]

@hafpipe RichardElden doesn't know how to say anything other than anything apart from "ALEX SALMOND BAD"

[@cammymcghee]

SNP free scotland

[@buckrogers1985]

@waklwakl id buy you a dram neeber

[@ELONut]

how the hell can u call yourself a human after that infantile evil comment?

[@checkpointscotland]

@1Eyeneeded I'm not surprised you feel this way, considering SCOTTISH- LIB/LAB/CONS, all work from Westminster, not one of these party's are legally right to call themselves Scottish (anything)!!!!

[@NorthLimitation]

Oh God you are very wrong there. The Scottish have been multicultural for centuries. Picts, Celts, Gaels et al came TOGETHER to form what is now the Scottish culture. How can you claim that Scotland has never been multicultural when there are such languages as Scots, a half-way house between English and anglicised Gaelic. Get it together, honestly.

[@craigscot67]

Wilsey Many Scots aren't economic nationalists. They simply want Scotland to take its rightful place in the world as a real country. Re it prospering, you only have to look at which are the most successful post-war countries in Europe - small ones. But the main point, I think, is - why do you care? You're not Scottish. It really has nothing to do with you.

[@partickfan]

Can't stand the man but that was funny!

[@NorthLimitation]

Alex Salmond is certainly willing to invest a lot more money in Gaelic than the BNP, that's for sure. I've taken a look over their figures a whil back, it's ludicrous. If you expect someone from the Highlands of Scotland to vote for the BNP, then you are somewhat misguided and out of touch. The only reason your party is growing (in the sense that a hamlet ould 'boom' 300% in a year, but still be nowhere near the size of a city) is because of difficult times. German Nazism, depression?

[@granniecarol61]

the god squad and the SNP crikey !!

[@NorthLimitation]

Yet another yawntastic post from ScotsBNP, based on hypothetical chaos, surrounded by theoretical panic. Snore, snore, snore.

[@NorthLimitation]

So, on one hand you argue that Scotland is full of different races from different lands and celebrate the result, but on the other hand you reject foreign culture? Your ideals seem a bit distorted there.

[@craigscot67]

The war is relevant because you're complaining about all the benefits Scotland gets. England would get tangible benefits too if it weren't for this continual desire to impose democracy on countries that aren't ready for it. Re gambling our public spending on oil. We have no control over the oil - as I said, our current spending (ie your list) is taken from the block grant.

[@AnyoneForCoffee]

For crying out loud, it's CHILDREN IN NEED and Salmond can't resist political campaigning. Disgraceful.

[@NorthLimitation]

Take the time please, if you will, to read up on the ACTUAL LAW of Scotland (there are plenty publiations explaining EU law) - after that, you will realise that any nation can leave the EU under the European Convention of Human Rights. The Scottish BNP is an absolutely joke, it's unbelievably tiny, small minded, and will never become larger than SNP, LIB DEM, LABOUR and CONS. Not to mention its socio-economic plans are absolutely laughable.

[@NorthLimitation]

...what the jesus tap-dancing christ are you talking about?!

[@NorthLimitation]

No, England is overpopulated, Scotland however is not. Scotland is about to suffer from a demographic crisis, we have to pay our way. I bet you gain absolutely no seats in Scotland, who will be on the brink of independence by that point. No, immigrants take the jobs of the workshy who simply will not work, the benefit-guzzlers.

[@davidfairbairn8]

Fuck sake, you guys work for the BBC?

[@rabblue]

support the union, salmonds a diddie

[@craigsutherland4726]

Bheast

[@wonjubhoy]

Not guilty.

[@craigsutherland4726]

@@wonjubhoy a tim and snp supporter. Fancy that

[@petemacarthur]

Nice gesture. Still shite, though.

[@knightswoodtom]

sad neandrathol you think jack the lad was better ffs grow up