Letter: Political moves

Following the doomsday analysis from Chic Brodie MSP (Letters, 14 July), himself a former Liberal, I suggest that people should not read too much into the fact that a few Lib Dem councillors have defected to the SNP.

From my experience as a former council political group leader, this move is much more likely to reflect councillors' concern at retaining their job next May than to any policy-driven change of heart.

Indeed, it's difficult to see how the centralist, confrontational, and rather authoritarian SNP could be attractive to an instinctive Liberal. Many councillors, particularly in rural areas where ward connection is often seen as far more important than party politics, have a pretty tenuous political allegiance.

Given the results of last May's election, it's small wonder that some councillors would see the SNP as a safe home. That's a million miles from the demise of a long political tradition.

JOAN MITCHELL

Carsluith, Newton Stewart,

Dumfries and Galloway