Historic vote

No politician should underestimate the signals that the European election results might show if the poll takes place next month in the United Kingdom.

Kenny Macaskill seems to

think they will only confirm that the Conservatives have imploded (Perspective, 19 April). But they might give the SNP an indication about whether the bandwagon for independence is rolling steadily, and Labour some sign that it has a realistic prospect of forming a government.

Much will depend, too, on whether a disillusioned electorate decides to register its frustration with the recent antics in the House of Commons and restate, south of the Border, their wish to leave the EU.

The fact that these elections over the last 20 years have struggled to reach a 35 per cent turnout should not blind us to their importance. The low polls in themselves reflect a scepticism among large swathes of voters about the importance of the European Union.

The results in 2014 and 2009, however, did provide pointers to how our politics was developing. Five years ago Ukip made history by becoming the largest party.

They even won a seat in Scotland under the proportional system, seriously denting the campaign for Scottish independence. Ten years ago Ukip actually out-polled Labour, adding to the troubles of a beleaguered government led by Gordon Brown.

In that same election the SNP, for the first time in a European poll, recorded the biggest vote of all the parties in Scotland, giving it some hope that it might one day win a majority in the Scottish Parliament.

The elections this time take place in perplexing circumstances. Few, after the referendum of 2016, would have predicted that they would take place at all. Many might feel they should register a protest by not voting.

That would be to deny their significance over the years. This election might make history in a way that both Leavers and Remainers could not have foreseen when this infernally complex affair began.

BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes