Letter: Principled move

Dr STUART Waiton's article, "Turnaround shows lack of solid principles" (Perspective, 6 June) lacked a certain generosity of spirit.

But more than that, it displayed the sort of rigid approach to politics which, I think, precludes sensible policy development - and thereby damages us all.

There is a difference between a principle and a policy. One is a heartfelt belief that guides your whole outlook. The other is a practical idea designed to deal with a circumstantial problem.

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Principles should never change. But, in a sensible world, policies can. Minimum pricing is not a principle; it's a policy, and one which is serious enough to require bold political thinking- and yes, perhaps flexibility and an open mind.

I don't know about Dr Waiton, but I change my mind quite regularly in my life when it comes to dealing with practical problems. Sometimes it's the right thing to do. And I actually think it's quite refreshing to see a political leader who is not slavishly adhering to a "line" on a policy issue.

After all, if you think about it, the easy thing for the Liberal Democrats to do would be to say nothing at all on this issue. By changing their approach, they have taken the hard road - opening themselves up to the predictable charge of U-turning.

They didn't need to do it, and had quite a lot to lose and little to gain by doing so. Maybe they did it because they genuinely thought it was the right thing to do.

Binge-drinking is a serious problem, and rethinking how to tackle it from time to time is surely sensible. We have more than enough politicians who insist that "strength" equates with never changing your mind. Maybe Willie Rennie is someone who takes a different approach - one that's closer to the way real people behave. I say, let's give him a chance.

Ross McLean

Murrayfield Place

Edinburgh