Confusion reigns

We’ve had the Scottish Constitutional Convention, the Steel Commission, the National Conversation, the Calman Commission and, currently, we have continuing discussion and debate surrounding the ever-changing Scotland Bill.

We now have Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Willie Rennie, leader of the rump of what was once a party of government in Scotland, announcing yet another exclusive talking shop on Scottish home rule.

While the Lib Dems no doubt have their own political, and most likely cynical, reasons for announcing the “Willie Commission”, Scotland does not need another partisan discussion on the future of Scotland.

While support for independence continues to fluctuate, what is perfectly clear is that in comprehensively backing the SNP in May 2011, Scots voted for constitutional change and a beefed-up Holyrood parliament.

It seems there are only two real options for Scotland’s future: comprehensive home rule delivered in a single transfer of power to avoid the uncertain and detrimental drip of devolution or full independence.

What we need is a joined-up, transparent and cross-party debate on these two options. We need to see their respective benefits laid out without smokescreens, scaremongering or propaganda. We need to see our political parties working together to explore Scotland’s future in an open and honest way.

While I support Scottish home rule, indeed I believe that we shouldn’t stop there and should go the whole hog to independence, we simply do not need a minor Holyrood party, like the Lib Dems, operating in a silo, doing their own thing and offering yet another alternative to confuse matters.

David Balfour

Craobhraid na Coilltich

Inverness