The powerful reason why one politician has stood out in this Scottish election campaign
Alex Cole-Hamilton’s willingness to work across party lines is what Scotland needs if it is to build a better tomorrow
This week’s STV party leaders’ hustings, chaired by the wonderful Colin McKay, gave a real insight into what is currently wrong with Scottish politics – a lack of vision and big ideas on how to truly transform Scotland. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion, thinking that this is what we could have for another five years in Holyrood, more rhetoric, less delivery. The people of Scotland deserve and need better.
Is it any wonder that people are not engaged in this election? Those that are undecided now are more than likely not going to vote in this election. All parties have failed to capture the imagination and attention of voters.
Voters want to see big ideas, a big vision, a party that is shouting from the rafters for Scotland and a party that people feel has their back and will support them and their family. I write this with a heavy heart, but politics in Scotland has, as many said during the hustings, failed “the good people of Scotland” and this is having an impact on trust and will undoubtedly have an impact on voter turnout.
The consequences of failing to deliver
Politically, Scotland is sleepwalking into a state of paralysis and if there isn’t a renewed focus on delivering for the people of Scotland, I believe that the next five years leading up to the 2031 Scottish Parliament election will be a testbed for how people in Scotland will perceive the effectiveness of the Scottish Parliament.
And if it’s seen to be not delivering for the people of Scotland, don’t be surprised if there is an emerging narrative about the future of the Holyrood parliament.
For a long time in Scotland, there has been a growing disconnect between voters and those seeking office. And whilst it won’t be addressed in this election, given that we have just seven days until we go to the polls, it is something that all parties need to think about, especially the next party in government. I fear that, if we think turnout in this election is likely to be low, come 2031, if a lot of the issues affecting Scotland now are not dealt with or at least addressed, it will be a lot worse.
If any of the party leaders are reading this piece, please focus on delivery; party politics aside, this is about the future of Scotland. The level of debate has been on a par with that of a high school debating society with neither party really talking about how they will tackle the structural issues and challenges affecting Scotland today.
And let’s be honest, there is a lot to choose from – the economy, health, education etc – but instead parties have been using personal insults as the key attack lines, instead of focusing on what matters to the people of Scotland, which is policy and outcomes.
A knee-jerk reaction
John Swinney spoke about a cap on basic food essentials, which requires legislation and, as we all know, this will take time due to the process involved. I agree with the sentiment of having a policy to support people and families who are struggling to buy food essentials and no person in Scotland should ever be in that situation, but while what he is proposing sounds good, the reality is that the delivery will take time.
Again, this seems like a knee-jerk reaction to the growing cost-of-living crisis which is dominating this election. But if we are serious about tackling food insecurity, as I would call it, then we need to have an actual policy that will provide help and support to those families and people who need it now.
Reform UK party leader Malcolm Offord spoke about the need to grow Scotland’s economy and reducing the current income tax brackets to help kickstart things, and I think this is something we can all agree with. Even the SNP have suggested that if they get back into power, they will reduce income tax in Scotland, althought this is at odds with some of the things they have been saying throughout this campaign.
An ‘economy first’ First Minister
It is something that the Scottish Labour party is also supportive of as well. Party leader Anas Sarwar rightly pointed out that the issues facing Scotland’s today are ultimately the responsibility of the SNP-led Scottish Government which has been in power for nearly two decades. He has pledged to be an ‘economy first’ First Minister of Scotland should he get the keys to Bute House on May 7.
For me, I have been impressed with Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton throughout the campaign, really for two reasons. One is that Alex has a passion for progressive policy, which comes across at hustings and other meetings, and a genuine openness for discussion about how we address the key issues affecting Scotland.
And secondly, he has shown that he is willing to park party political differences, where common ground can be found, demonstrating this by working with the SNP on the Scottish Budget.
And for me, that is the key point I’m trying to make in this piece – that we need politicians to work together to deliver for the people of Scotland. As part of that, and this was something that the STV hustings made clear, Scotland is in need of a serious, long-term plan to tackle the issues affecting Scotland today so we can all look forward to a better tomorrow.
Barrie Cunning is the founder of Scotland 2050, a one-day political conference which takes place on June 2 at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh
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