Prime oversight

As a graduate of St Andrews University, one of the highlights of that august institution is the opening ceremony, welcoming the new intake of students.

Such an event is designed to inspire in the new students a sense of the history, responsibility and privilege that comes with joining an institution that dates back to 1413. This programme includes many a reference to the giants who have studied and served at the institution and in whose footsteps they are about to walk.

The name of one of these was, however, conspicuously missing from the opening ceremony last week: the Right Honourable Alex Salmond MSP, The First Minister of Scotland.

What university would not wish to highlight that one of its past students was currently serving as Prime Minister/First Minister/President of the country?

Unquestionably, if a St Andrews graduate were now the Prime Minister or President, his or her name would be at the very top of the list of acclaimed alumni and cited as such at every possible opportunity and in the most reverent of manners.

Why then was at no point during the ceremony attention drawn to the fact that a graduate of the University of St Andrews is the current leader of the country, a leader who, regardless of your politics, is without doubt one of the most successful and significant politicians of our era.

Alex Orr

Leamington Terrace

Edinburgh