Priorities at the polls are vastly different

Sir, – Do last week’s local election results in Scotland and the Assembly results in Northern Ireland signal a case for constitutional change (Courier, May 9)? It depends, of course, on what people thought these polls were all about.

I reckon that possibly half of those who voted SNP here and Sinn Fein in Ulster did so because they wanted a change in the existing set-up – independence here and a united Ireland across the water.

The other half had more down-to-earth matters on their minds. It wasn’t just the cost of living (the councils here can’t do very much about that).

It was the things the local authorities do have control over – grass cutting, bin collections, old people’s homes, libraries, parking charges and the state of the non-trunk roads, local buses in the evenings and whether you are getting value for money for your council tax.

Even those who thought the vote was about getting a referendum quickly must be wary.

Most votes were cast for parties that support the union. The SNP would need to have overall control of most of the councils for Westminster to sit up and take notice.

Even then, the nationalists would have to look at the size of majority they would need if a referendum took place.

It would need at least 60% support if the Scottish Government was to be effective in the negotiations that would follow.

Those who say that in a democracy one should be enough ignore the realities of politics.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon might be euphoric about her result in Dundee.

She must know that support has to be much higher than this if she is to achieve her ultimate goal.

Bob Taylor.

Shiel Court, Glenrothes.

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