Every week I read Iain Dale’s weekly newsletter. Before you rush to judgement, there is always a picture of some very cute dogs at the end even if I often disagree with the political stuff. I often read people whose views are not the same as mine, especially if they are interesting as Iain usually is. When I was growing up, I used to read my Dad’s Telegraph every day. It horrified me so much that it made me a social liberal with a healthy respect for a strong public sector that knocks down the barriers of poverty and inequality  that hold people back.

It was on its pages that I remember reading an article from Jo Grimond lamenting the move to an increasingly litigious society. For me that was very prescient as we so often now see the rich and powerful beat progressive forces without such deep pockets into submission in the courts.

Anyway, going back to Iain’s newsletter, a few weeks ago, he mentioned he was recording an All Talk podcast with Alistair Carmichael. I’ve been waiting to listen to it ever since.

It’s finally come out today, as this week is the 75th anniversary of Jo Grimond’s first election as MP for Orkney and Shetland.  Jo had first fought the seat in 1945 and narrowly lost but was successful five years later.  He held it for 33 years, retiring in the 1983 election. He was succeeded by Jim Wallace who then stood down at the 2001 election as he had been elected as MSP for Orkney in 1999. Alistair tells the story of how he was selected for he seat. He also talks about the coalition years.

They talk about Jo, about Alistair growing up on Islay and getting interested in politics.  I was taken by the notion that he was left in the car when his parents went to vote as such things were too serious for children. I was taken in to the hallowed environment of the polling station by my parents. I can first remember going in the February 1974 election when I was 6. I was always fascinated by the process.  By the time all 3 of us, Iain, Alistair and I, were teenagers, we were all politically engaged and involved.  One thing that I can do that Iain Dale can’t though, is remind you of how Alistair looked when he addressed Scottish Conference as a teenager. That jumper looks as warm as it needed to be in the cold Oban hall.

The podcast is well worth a listen here. We all think we know Alistair, but there are some things that I found out for the first time.

I should take this opportunity to say congratulations to Alistair and his wife Kate on becoming grandparents recently. Their son and his wife recently had a baby girl and I have it on very good authority that Grandad is utterly besotted.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social