Dialogue with election candidates

As a responsible democrat I thought, when this election was called, I would write to the candidates to ask them a few questions before deciding how to vote.

We had no hustings this time, even in Campbeltown, and our MSP has not visited the town for ages. So election time seems to be the only opportunity to enter into dialogue with those who want to represent us.

Last year I published a book about the uncertain future for the rule of law in Scotland. The irreducible basis of a rule-of-law society is reciprocity between those who make the laws and those who have to obey them. Without dialogue, that is impossible.

Only two parties sent me a leaflet with enough time to allow an exchange of emails: first the SNP, then the LibDems.

I started by asking the SNP candidate, Jenni Minto, for a CV. That was initially refused, then a redacted one sent.

Next, I asked about the Hate Crime Act. I got a long answer ending with a quotation from the English philosopher Karl Popper: ‘In order to maintain a tolerant society, the society must be intolerant to intolerance.’

I wrote back quoting Bertrand Russell, who said enforced morality is not morality at all; it is pure obedience. Likewise, enforced tolerance is not tolerance, just obedience. I asked what she thought of the criminalisation of dinner-time conversations and other aspects of the Act. It was at that point the dialogue broke down.

I changed the subject to independence. This time I did get a reply, but it was evasive.

For example, I had asked what the most important features of the UK were that made her want Scotland to leave it. Ms Minto replied that an independent country would get the government it votes for.

That implied that if Scotland and England voted for the same party, there would be no need for independence. So, by extension, what if Argyll wanted a different government from that in Holyrood? Should it declare independence from Scotland, as Orkney and Shetland have said they will if the UK breaks up?

I wrote for clarification, but Ms Minto did not reply.

I also wrote to Alan Reid of the LibDems. He sent a CV, but when I replied to that with questions about LibDem policy, I heard nothing more.

That, in Scotland, appears to be the limit of dialogue between the rulers and the ruled. Perhaps that explains something about the parliament itself.

Ian Mitchell, Campbeltown.