These comments stem from my experience as a Scottish
Liberal candidate three times in the1970s, when Galloway changed from Tory to
SNP; and again as an SLD candidate for the first Holyrood elections, when I was
second on the Regional list and also constituency candidate for Carrick,
Cumnock and Doon Valley. I never lost a deposit and always increased the vote.
During those elections I stood for three things: Home
rule within a Federal UK; Electoral Reform; and Industrial partnership. These
are still very relevant, but are not always given prominence today. The
following are comments on the current importance of these three policies.
Home rule: within the UK.
Federalism requires changes to Westminster and the House of Lords, with
a written constitution for the whole of the UK.
This is unlikely to happen before the independence referendum. The best option is therefore “Devo plus”, and
it is important that this is clearly defined by the anti-independence parties
(not unionist because there is no longer a union of parliaments). Essentially
taxes should be raised as far as possible where they are spent, and this goes
for local authorities as well. At the moment the situation is completely
unbalanced with the Barnet Formula and Rate Support Grants. The crucial thing
is for external affairs and defence to remain on a UK basis. It is important that this third option is in
the referendum, because it would be supported by the majority in Scotland. To
have only a “yes/no” for independence is a huge gamble, insulting to the
voters, and risks us all sleepwalking into partition.
Electoral Reform: STV is the best system but
after the AV defeat, further progress is unlikely for some time. However, there
are now four different electoral systems in Scotland, and it is small wonder
that voter turnout is low. There is a case for compulsory voting.
Industrial partnership: Capital in
firms being owned by employees is not unusual in places like Germany, and
happens here eg:- the John Lewis Partnership. The idea that customers and/or
employees should be shareholders is not new, for instance the cooperative
movement. It is relevant to Scottish Water which should be mutualised rather
than privatised.
There are other important themes such as citizenship
and the importance of early years and parenting. Also localism or subsidiarity is important
with taxes being raised as far as possible where they are spent. There is a
need to simplify the tax and benefit system for individuals by combining
personal taxation with benefits so that a negative income tax could result in a
living wage.
There are also two contemporary issues which pose particular
problems for Liberals.
The first is population growth, both globally
and nationally. This is the most important issue in so many areas such as
global warming, sustainability, unemployment, immigration, but it is not
politically correct to mention it, especially amongst Liberals.
The second is China with its aggressive
industrial and financial power, coupled with an appalling human rights record.
Being a liberal means putting the wellbeing of
individuals first before ideologies and dogma when deciding on policies.
David Hannay is a retired GP who stood for election in Galloway three times in the 1970s, as well as for Holyrood in the first elections for the Scottish Parliament.
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