‘Real’politicians
Has it not occurred to Alexander Mckay (Letters, 15 September) that if his “real politicians” at Westminster hadn’t made such a mess of things like wasting the billions of Scottish oil revenues, running up a national debt of £1,900 billion or taking Scotland out of the EU against our democratic wishes then the SNP would not have won the last seven elections held in Scotland?
This shows confidence in the SNP providing better governance at a time of continued UK austerity and a feeble devolution settlement that restricts the main tax-raising power to the poisoned chalice of income tax.
Yes, there are huge challenges in health and education, but thanks to the SNP the position in Scotland is better than in England or when measured against the record of the previous Labour/lib Dem Scottish Executive which did not have to deal with Westminster cuts to its budget.
In any event, claims that our health and education systems are a disaster zone have been contradicted by experts. Writing in the EIS Journal general secretary Larry Flanagan stated that: “It is hugely disappointing that a false narrative of failure has developed around Scottish education which belies the good work being done in schools day in and day out”.
In July, the Nuffield Trust praised the Scottish health service and reported that other parts of the UK can learn from the way the NHS was being run in Scotland.
Nicola Sturgeon’s Programme for Government
has been widely praised for addressing the problems of austerity by supporting families, helping firms to grow and creating a fairer society.
MARY THOMAS
Watson Crescent, Edinburgh
I have been puzzling over Alexander Mckay’s plea (Letters, 15 September) for the SNP to withdraw from government as it is a movement rather than a proper party. Who should take its place?
The Greens are a crusade, as are Ukip. The Lib Dems are a sort of unfocused yearning for a nicer world. Labour? Not long ago its spokesmen always referred to it as “This Great Movement Of Ours” (definitely in caps) and its present leader is a congenital espouser of causes.
That would seem to leave the Conservatives. Some would say they are entirely unprincipled and so would seem to meet Mr Mckay’s requirement, but others perceive a hidden agenda of protecting the privileged in everything that they do.
Actually, I think the problem is that politicians tend to be focused on winning and retaining power for its own sake and are, ipso facto, the last people who should have anything to do with government, so perhaps we should just leave matters in the safe hands of the gentlemen in Whitehall.
Step forward, Sir Humphrey.
Craigleith Drive, Edinburgh
S. BECK