Is a new party the solution?

“It would be interesting to know if there are any prospective tenants for this office block which, in the city planner’s view, deserves prominence on our waterfront, just metres from the almost-empty Caledonian House office block

Sir, – The whole Scottish political class, Tories included, seem accepting of the received wisdom that our problems can only be fixed with more devolved power and money, the only question being how much to centralise in Holyrood.

The most recent example is Kenny Macaskill and Tom Harris agreeing railways should be devolved to Holyrood – nationalised, even – but it’s pointless with no more money.

If the Tories, or the sensible wings of Labour and the Lib Dems, won’t challenge this perhaps a new party is needed which has no left/rightwing agenda, only a focus on getting value for money out of Holyrood.

They could start by analysing how much the decline of education and health since 1999 is due to the quality of elected and employed Scottish public servants, and how much our own diet, lifestyle and parenting has contributed. And how about a forensic evalution of upcoming transfers such as the new benefits agency, examining the business case (if there is one) on how the extra £400 million in set-up cost will deliver at least £400m of improvements?

Also useful would be an objective view of how devolving 111 Brexit powers would actually enhance Scotland and the UK’S economic and societal performance. So would some hard-nosed analysis to resolve the ridiculous reliance on supply teachers, at a cost of £81 million.

To succeed such a party should hold the balance of power. That’s not too difficult, you only need to copy the Greens and win 13,172 votes and six seats.

Allan Sutherland. 1 Willow Row, Stonehaven.