Drumlanrig: Salmond Joins right Royal singalong

ALEX Salmond had no qualms about singing William Blake's hymn in praise of "England's green and pleasant land" when he belted out Jerusalem along with the other Royal Wedding guests.

The patriotic hymn, which has often been cited as a possible English National Anthem, held no fears for the former boy soprano come Scotland's leading Nationalist.

The First Minister's spokesman said that Salmond (below) had sung lustily. Of Jerusalem, the spokesman said: "It is a fantastic anthem" before adding: "Alex Salmond often describes himself as the biggest Anglophile in Scottish politics."

One can only assume therefore that Salmond, who would retain the monarchy in an independent Scotland, did not hold back either during the rousing rendition of God Save the Queen that rang out from Westminster Abbey.

GRAY DAY FOR LABOUR LEADER AT BBC DEBATE

IS Iain Gray about to walk into a bear trap later today when he joins his fellow party leaders for the BBC debate inPerth Concert Hall? Not onlyis the debate taking place in Nat-heartlands,but the Beebis offering1000 seats for the audience, withthe SNP's everresourceful, if slightly obsessive,activist base likely to try and nick them all. Gray can console himself with the thought thatnot a lot of peoplewill be watching, with Auntie having decided to stick the debate out at 10:30pm. Would the Beeb have put out its UK leaders' debate last year at such an hour? We think not.

SEEING RED OVER ONE POSSIBLE POLL RESULT

HOW times have changed. While Labour cooncillors will all be out fighting for their party this week, we hear that any tears they shed over a likely defeat on Friday may be of the crocodile variety. One council source informs us: "A lot of the Labour council leaders want their team to win. But they would much prefer to deal with the SNP lot over the next few months, rather than Iain Gray's people. At least they get a hearing." In particular, Gray (above), should not expect commiserations from North Lanarkshire council leader Jim McCabe if he loses this weekend, it is understood. Jim's not happy.

TORIES MARRIED TO THE JOB OR MAYBE NOT

RUTH Davidson, the Conservative candidate for Glasgow Kelvin, generously gave her young student activists some time off from campaigning so that they could go to the Royal Wedding.

"They were camping out on the Mall and had a great time," said Davidson.

She added: " Because they've had a couple of days off, I'm telling them that they'll have to work twice as hard when they get back." They have been warned.