A week of Wilson

I’ve just had a “Brian Wilson week”, enjoying the documentary about him on BBC Alba, hearing him speak at a Scotland in Union meeting and reading his excellent Scotsman column. When he gives his opinion, it either confirms what I was thinking or forces me to reconsider even when I disagree.

For example, I thought that BBC Alba and the drive for more Gaelic in schools was an attempt to foist a Gaelic culture and nationalist view on all of Scotland. I still have my suspicions, but when I heard his reasons for championing them, it seems this wasn’t the case at the start.

Asked why, given their pretty dismal record on domestic issues and their blatant manoeuvring for a second referendum, the SNP are not “rumbled” by more of the electorate, he replied by saying they are very good at what they do. The SNP are simply up earlier in the morning with a single purpose – breaking up the UK. This underpins every word and action, and they have decades of experience in the techniques. Nobody on the other side of the constitutional debate has that degree of focus, because we are all interested in other priorities and objectives.

As Brian Wilson said: “I did not come into politics to be defined as a unionist”. Very few of us on this side of the constitutional argument did. Many, like me, don’t want to be involved in the debate at all but are forced to adopt a position because of the constant efforts to take away one of the multiple identities with which we have lived comfortably.

We need a lot more high quality people in Holyrood, forensically and persistently bringing the Nationalists to account and rebutting their claims. More people like Brian Wilson, in fact.

Here is a brainy, experienced man who holds a multitude of views based on clear thought, evidence and what is best for the situation, not on party politics, dogma or blind obedience and able to express and debate them clearly and forcefully.

The union side badly needs such leadership, energy and sense of urgency. Brian Wilson, the best First Minister that Scotland never had. And if it had been up to him, the job would not have existed. ALLAN SUTHERLAND Willow Row, Stonehaven