Time to vote for people power

JAMES Robertson rightly fears the danger of minimal change ­after independence: politicians will never allow changes which loosen their control.

Government is becoming more centralised and intrusive, a situation exacerbated by unnecessary legislation: denying supermarkets the right to sell alcohol during opening hours, for example. Did prior debate cover the basic principle and its perceived aim, along with the optimum duration of the ban, plus its likely effectiveness in achieving its purpose? The neat arrangement of 12 hours from 10pm to 10am suggests figures plucked from the air.

Such measures should be decided by the electorate, and I would establish a link between constituency MSPs and their voters through community councils by authorising these groups to consider any matter proposed in parliament and pass their findings to the MSPs. This consideration should proceed by separately identifying firstly favourable and then unfavourable factors before sifting out from each group any that are ineffectual.The results should be transmitted with a firm proposal for action to the MSP, who would be legally required to respond.

Robert Dow, Tranent