Real issues are ones that matter
As we approach the third anniversary of the formation of a rainbow“everybody except the SNP”council administration in Perth and Kinross, we are now seeing very clearly the perils of mixing up your constitutional priorities with local government service delivery.
The only thing that united the administration of 2017 was their belief in the United Kingdom.
This principle has no role in formulating local policy or setting the council’s budget, which is why the wheels quickly came off.
The trouble set in with the Independent and Scottish Labour councillors who left the administration and joined the opposition after their views and ambitions for our communities were ignored and belittled by the Tory/Lib Dem core.
Following the suspension of two Tory councillors from the administration, they were reduced to 19 out of 40 councillors.
With no majority, this meant there was no need to continue indulging the four Lib Dems so they were ejected and here we are – 15 Tories trying to run the council.
This contrasts sharply with the SNP’s business-like approach to council administration. We went to the trouble of producing a manifesto for Perth and Kinross while the Tories ranted about Indyref.
We produced a fully costed and progressive alternative council budget every year while the Tories dither over spending.
The moral of this tale of collapse in Conservative authority in Perth and Kinross is beware politicians who dodge the real issues and instead parrot soundbites about the constitution of no relevance to the council, much less residents of this part of Scotland.
What really matters to people in Perth and Kinross is when they see their local council actually doing things that make a difference. And I want to end on a positive note because sometimes it is the little things that are important.
Or, the not so little things, as I was reminded driving past the Meikelour beech hedge the other day on my way to a council meeting.
Recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the highest hedge in the world, the Meikleour Beech Hedge was planted in 1745 and is one third of a mile long (530 m) and 100 ft (30 m) high.
Legend has it that it was planted by men called to fight in the Jacobite Rising, none of whom returned alive.
In tribute to their memory, the trees were allowed to grow and the hedge acts as a living memorial to them.
Whatever truth there is in that story, there is no doubt that it is a significant local landmark and a tourist attraction in its own right so, as a local councillor, I am delighted that - after years of lobbying - work is finally being carried out to ensure the hedge can be preserved because it was getting to the point of no return.