Sturgeon leads in all the relevant matters

Sir, – In Alex Bell’s column (“A leader who doesn’t lead”, The Courier, April 30), he describes the first minister as a ‘follower’ and not a leader.

Mr Bell claims Nicola Sturgeon has failed to use the powers at her disposal to act quicker than the rest of the UK during the Covid-19 crisis, and has not yet articulated her vision for a post-pandemic Scotland.

He argues that the first minister missing Cobra meetings is irresponsible, but omits that she has been chairing the Scottish Government’s resilience committee (for which she is directly responsible) since the end of January.

Since health is fully devolved under the Scotland Act, this is the body that holds more relevance to Scotland, than Cobra, which is not responsible for health in Scotland. Surely that is the key point?

Further, Mr Bell claims Scotland has remained broadly the same under the SNP Government.

This is true – the party has continued to increase health funding, now at a record high.

The SNP made prescriptions, tuition, personal care, and childcare free – and they continue to be so.

How can these progressive achievements be in any way comparable to the austerity-driven agenda of the Tories?

Mr Bell’s final point is that the FM has failed to articulate her vision for a post-pandemic Scotland, yet other nations are not yet outlining their measures either, because the crisis is not yet over.

Why should the captain detail every aspect of dry land when their focus should be steering the ship through the storm?

Further, many of the levers needed to truly transform Scotland, economically and socially, remain in the hands of Boris Johnson’s government.

Power over employment law, macroeconomic policy, pensions, financial services regulation, much of welfare – all still lies with Westminster.

On the day Mr Bell’s column was published, the first minister said if she had the power, the Scottish Government would set up a Universal Basic Income.

That would be truly transformational, however it is incompatible with the current set-up in the UK.

Mr Bell’s call for Ms Sturgeon to articulate a bold new vision for Scotland is constrained by the hard fact that the Scottish Parliament has one hand tied behind its back.

Lloyd Melville. East Garden Cottage, Duntrune.