Answers needed

In THEIR response to John Scott MSP’s letter, councillors Balfour, Mowat, Rose, Mackenzie, Rust, Whyte and Paisley (Letters, 1 October), fall back on the classic tactic of accusing those with whom they disagree of scaremongering.

On the contrary, John Scott posed, in a measured way, a series of legitimate questions over how Murdo Fraser’s proposed new party, to replace the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party which Mr Fraser wishes to abolish, would in practice operate.

The questions posed, such as would existing members of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party continue to be able to vote for the UK Conservative Party leader and would they continue to be able to attend the conference as full representatives, are issues of genuine concern to Scottish party members.

On the strength of Murdo Fraser’s statements to date, the answer to these question would appear, notwithstanding his assurance that he would seek to “negotiate” on them, to be No. These are not trivial matters. They go to the heart of the relationship between Conservatives in Scotland and Conservatives across the rest of the United Kingdom and therefore to the heart of what it is to be a Conservative and Unionist in Scotland. For Mr Fraser, as a candidate for the leadership of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, not to have answers to them is truly alarming.

ROB MURRAY

Belvedere Plantation

Galston