Polls take toll
Euan Mccolm’s fanciful prediction (The Scotsman, 12 April) that Ruth Davidson might one day become First Minister is the stuff of fantasy and ignores the cold fact that Tory support in Scotland currently stands at the second lowest in the last 43 years.
As The Scotsman reported (11 April) the recent Ashcroft poll showed Nicola Sturgeon with a net approval rating of plus 11 percentage points and despite the fawning Londonbased right wing press headlines, Ruth Davidson has a minus 21 per cent rating, with Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale languishing on minus 41 per cent.
This is hardly surprising given Ruth Davidson’s U-turn on Brexit and her unquestioning support for the inhumane Tory “rape clause” (your report, 12 April).
At present Ruth Davidson has the luxury of opposition and lack of scrutiny but her contemptuous “sit down” remark in the Scottish Parliament last month shows that she can’t handle real examination of her policies.
MARY THOMAS
Watson Crescent, Edinburgh I found the article (Scotsman, 11 April) on the approval ratings of our political leaders interesting on two counts.
First, it completely contradicted a similar survey publicised a few weeks ago which showed Nicola Sturgeon with a very negative rating, Ruth Davidson with a very positive rating and Theresa May just on the positive side. The only similarity between the two surveys was Kezia Dugdale, who had a very negative rating in both. The change was so substantial in such a short period of time that it is difficult to believe such a turnaround was possible. Thus the conclusion is to place considerable doubt on both results. Naturally, individuals will believe the survey most in line with their own political views – I preferred the earlier one!
My second point is the amount of coverage in The Scotsman given to each survey. The earlier one did not merit a reference on the front page, only a relatively short bald statement in the inside pages virtually limited to reporting the results. The latter survey was given coverage on the front page and a fairly lengthy article inside, not only quoting the results but giving space to an SNP spokesman lauding the results.
If I were a cynical person I would conclude that this demonstrates an SNP bias in the editorial approach of the current Scotsman.
RAYMOND PAUL
Braid Farm Road, Edinburgh