We need the truth from candidates

Sir, – I have just received through the letterbox a very slick advertising message from the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Conservative Party in the next election.

Her bio states she is new to politics but, having met her, I was impressed with her common sense. That is why I was so disappointed she allowed her name to be attached to this flyer.

I can only describe it as long on rhetoric and short on substance.

Why do I think that? Basically, there isn’t any money.

Let’s take the dualling of the A9 and A96. Regardless of the inept handing by the present Scottish Government, the simple fact is there is no money and, whoever gets elected, that will not change.

The NHS? We have all seen the media’s report on the big hole in NHS Grampian’s budget. Again, the only way the local health situation will improve is with money.

Whisky? Any political support (tax breaks etc) will be more to the benefit of the shareholders and, except for jobs, very little to the local community.

The rural economy, venison, avian flu... will that get people’s attention?

Again, the benefit will be to landowners not the electorate.

The Cloddach Bridge? This money is already earmarked and is not the remit of a prospective parliamentarian.

So, any prospective candidate, whatever their politics, could equally lay claim to this flyer.

The simple matter is, it is complex. We all have to make budget choices.

Unfortunately, on one level, the choice is do we eat or heat?

The ruling government of the day also has to make choices. Unfortunately, the current incumbent has, for the last 14 years, made choices not on what was best for Scotland, but on influencing new voters.

We are all paying for this misrule and it will take some hard choices to steer our way out.

So what we want to hear from any prospective candidate is the truth.

For instance, the dualling debate and a statement saying that the improvements to an existing road, although desirable, are not a priority when organisations like the Scottish NHS require an immediate cash boost.

This has a ring of truth about it because it is the truth and achievable within current budget restraints.

An added statement about the education of drivers through additional signage on the roads in question might help to reduce the fatalities.

A conversation I had many years ago with a long-distance lorry driver stuck in my mind: “Roads don’t cause accidents, drivers do.”

That is more true today than ever.

Finlay G Mackintosh, Forres.