Letters: The key to Scotland’s future

The key to the Union

Sir: ‘Love-bombing’ the Scottish electorate with supplemental spending in devolved areas (‘The break-up’, 27 February) is unlikely to prove a decisive tactic in the ongoing battle over Scottish independence. It will never be enough, and the average voter will not distinguish Westminster spend from Holyrood’s.

Neither should opposition to an independence referendum be the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party’s primary policy in the upcoming Holyrood election. Falling into the SNP trap of focusing on this issue allows the party to pursue its agenda of confected grievance and division. Secession is the SNP’s preferred battleground, not least because it permits deflection of their record in government.

The keys to May’s election, and Scotland’s future, are the former Labour and Liberal Democrat voters. Conservatives in both Westminster and Holyrood need to shine a clear light on the failure of the SNP to use one of the strongest devolved parliaments in the world to improve the lives of the people of Scotland. Plummeting education standards, growing attainment gaps, rises in inequality, soaring increases in drug deaths, an opioid crisis and creeping encroachment of the state are some of the most pressing issues. The people of Scotland are also entitled to an independent, judge-led inquiry into the Salmond affair.

‘Lend us your vote’ has been used as a Holyrood electoral ploy with great success before. It is a tactic that the Scottish Conservatives could usefully adopt come May, with a solid commitment to build trust and improve outcomes in return. The Union will not be saved by Westminster alone.
Nick Ruane
Edinburgh

Offices of the church

Sir: Sorry to bang on about the centralisation and bureaucratisation of the Church of England, but Richard Martin has not started when he calls for a reduction in the number of bishops and archdeacons (Letters, 20 February). Try the diocesan office.