ALEX Salmond must be wondering what he has done to scatter his enemies so successfully. It's just a week since MSPs broke up for the summer recess, and suddenly both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish Parliament find themselves leaderless.
Nicol Stephen's resignation as Lib Dem leader took everyone by surprise but, given the family pressures he has described, the decision is understandable.
After a lacklustre election campaign last year, which prompted speculation about his future,
Mr Stephen recovered to become an effective performer at First Minister's Questions, and seemed to be the only leader able to get under Mr Salmond's skin.
Now his party needs to find a successor who can stand up to a bullish and supremely self-confident First Minister, and is also able to inspire party members and the voters.
Tavish Scott is seen as the most likely new leader – though thankfully it looks as if there will be a proper contest rather than a coronation. He has proved an able and astute politician with a sharp debating style and more charisma than most MSPs.
It looks as if the Lib Dems will settle their leadership election ahead of the Labour Party, which is delaying the official start of its contest until after the Westminster by-election in Glasgow East. Labour's field of candidates is not yet clear.
Former Health Minister Andy Kerr was seen as the favourite, but is now hesitating. East Lothian MSP Iain Gray seems certain to run. Cathy Jamieson and Margaret Curran are showing signs of interest but have not yet confirmed they want the job.
Whoever ends up as leader will have a tough task, taking on Mr Salmond and putting the party's case for being voted back into power at the next Holyrood elections in 2011.
Wendy Alexander had been getting better at putting Mr Salmond on the spot during First Minister's Questions, but her performance overall was hardly impressive – certainly not the ten out of ten she jokingly gave herself.
Just over 12 months on from a change of power, and against this background, it is no surprise that the SNP still seems to be enjoying the goodwill of the electorate. But the role of opposition is vital and it is equally important the opposition parties are well led. The new Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders will be chosen by internal party ballots, but the Scottish public has an interest in them making sure they pick someone who is going to be effective.
The full article contains 428 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
