ONE ex-Minister reflected, with a deal of sadness, that he realised he had lost power when he got into the back of his limousine and - it didn't move.

Of course, in another sense Alex Salmond is used to being in the driving seat and might find it hard to adapt to life without being at the wheel.

And yet for the latest addition to the pantheon of former leaders, Wee Eck looks to have his eyes on another vehicle and another journey.

The nationalists' very own Obi Wan Kenobi seems set on travelling to the Dark Star: London; proving, ironically, the point he made in the run-up to the independence referendum that the UK capital has a tendency to suck in talent from elsewhere.

The First Nationalist - there is gathering speculation the 59-year-old will have his status as a grandee confirmed with a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list - was at it again this week, teasing people about will he, won't he attempt to return to his old stomping ground.

Having emerged weeks ago that the Aberdeenshire MSP was "taking soundings" on the prospect of standing in his former seat of Gordon, the ex-FM went on BBC Question Time recently to announce he definitely maybe was considering, possibly, whether or not to throw his hat into the Westminster ring.

As he said farewell to power, Mr Salmond was at it again this week. Having recognised the possibility of an enhanced SNP cohort propping up a Miliband administration post the May general election, he teased his audience by suggesting he could impart some sage advice on how to run a minority government.

Now, while all human beings, and that includes politicians, can change their minds - and Mr Salmond has form on this - such a seasoned professional does not readily set a hare running and continue to point out that it is indeed zipping along nicely, for him later to announce it had, actually, surprisingly vanished from view.

For all the plaudits to her esteemed predecessor, Nicola Sturgeon does not want him causing distractions and problems on the Holyrood back benches as she seeks to set a mark on her premiership.

The golf course and the oak-panelled boardrooms of finance houses might have attractions for the ex-FM but the nationalists' big beast has made it clear he wants to continue in politics.

Given the changing political landscape - the polls that suggest the SNP could pick up anything from 12 to 54 of Scotland's 59 Westminster seats - the rough and tumble of Commons debates the former FM enjoys so much, the belief that somehow Messrs Cameron, Miliband and Clegg will do the dirty on their blood-signed vow on more powers for Scotland and the prospect of another hearts-and-minds referendum on, this time, EU membership, why wouldn't the First Nationalist feel compelled to slip down to London to show them how it's done?

SNP sources have made clear it is not a question of if but when Mr Salmond announces his intention to stand for the UK constituency of Gordon. If they are right, we won't have to wait long.