Workplace parking charges devolved

While the world seems to be heading for war, Clark Cross (letters, March 4) is serenely wielding his quill in some secluded corner of a Tory monastery, safe from the realities of the world outside.

Once more Mr Cross has resurrected a subject that has already been done to death – the workplace parking levy (people may remember a local Tory list MSP causing a stooshie with this, not so long back).

Mr Cross is an excellent recycler of items from political dustbins, maybe he should receive some sort of award!

The Scottish Government has passed legislation to allow local councils the power to charge employers for parking spaces.

This gives local authorities the ability to choose for themselves, a devolution of power from the centre – something the Tories claim to support.

This power will not be controlled by Holyrood, but still the Tories are not happy.

This power already exists in England but, as Mr Clark correctly states, only one council has implemented it.

He doesn’t recognise his own hypocrisy in pointing out this fact.

It is not just that the Tories would deny Scottish councils the rights that pertain to English ones (even if not activated), but that he fails to condemn or demand the withdrawal of that legislation in England.

He is, after all, a member of the ‘Better Together’ brotherhood, so he can’t claim to be disconnected from that country.

He is a Scottish Tory, a group (not a political party) that uses a double cross as its symbol.

When you add Clark Cross to the mix, you’ll get a Tory bargain – three crosses for the price of two.

I’ll pass on that, thank you!

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