Democratic crisis

Edinburgh has just been graced by the SNP’S annual conference amidst the perfect storm now uprooting the UK culture of government, spinning it out of control, and creating a crisis of democracy. It is not simply a matter of Brexit and Britain’s apparent impending departure from the European Union.

The Westminster system of governance by precedent is challenged and appears no longer fit for purpose. The unresolved issue of the unsustainable numbers and undemocratic appointments system of the House of Lords is compounded with the need for streamlining numbers whilst redrawing the constituency boundaries for the Commons and reviewing its management, including the powers and role of the Speaker.

The status quo is further challenged by the present prime minister’s apparent lack of judgment, reflected in her flawed policy choices and failures in leadership, to the great disadvantage of orderly and democratic government.

As a consequence, rising popular discontent and disillusionment with politicians underlines the urgency for a rebalancing of powers. A new constitutional restructuring is needed, with a supporting rule book.

Meanwhile, the UK economy has remained surprisingly resilient when compared to others within Europe. The same resilience cannot be seen in the Scottish economy,

beset with a sizeable deficit, and dependent on substantial subsidy from Westminster.

How then might Scotland fit within a possible new constitutional framework when the SNP’S clarion calls for Scotland’s independence appear to ignore the well tried tenets of Adam Smith and the need for political economy – or as Bill Clinton so succinctly said: “It’s the economy stupid.”

Without a true accounting of Scotland’s financial and budgetary position and the contribution of the financial sector, including the role of sterling within our economy, any call for independence appears premature, if not unaffordable.

Perhaps the SNP, like Edward’s army, needs to go away to “think again” and look at the ledgers, if a sustainable Scotland is indeed to flower and emerge from the present constitutional murk? ELIZABETH MARSHALL Western Harbour Midway,

Edinburgh