Lack of credible alternative

Sir, – William Loneskie (Courier Letters, December 8) challenges my belief that the present Scottish administration is delivering, “good government”.

He supports his argument by referencing the episode of BBC Scotland’s “Disclosure” series which dealt with NHS waiting times.

As someone who has experienced long-term chronic pain, I sympathise wholeheartedly with the sufferers featured and wish them well.

However, the BBC’s approach to this subject raises some questions.

At no time did it break down the figures on missed targets in order to

evaluate the numerous reasons they were missed or what percentage of the total number this represented.

The SNP set ambitious targets, between 90% and 95%, which even when missed are the best in the UK.

The programme’s use of harrowing cases mirrored Richard Leonard’s approach at First Minister’s Questions, where an individual is placed in the public gallery in order to condemn the SNP’s management of what is a large and complex organisation.

We have more doctors and nurses per head of population than the rest of the UK, in spite of a budget eaten away by Westminster, the burden of Labour’s PFI folly and funds directed towards mitigating harmful Tory policies.

I am unaware of which shade of unionism Mr Loneskie supports.

No matter, they are both cheeks of the same face.

Nonetheless, his complaints regarding Scots’ current choice of government would be more credible if he proposed a replacement which would in his eyes, deliver, “good government”.

Ken Clark. c/o 15 Thorter Way, Dundee.